The next hunt is near. The next chapter in the Predator franchise is set to release in a few months. Predator: Badlands is the next story to add more depth to the Predator lore. With such an impact and legacy in the Sci-Fi genre, it was obvious the film would land a spot at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Elle Fanning and Dan Trachtenberg brought the film over to the convention this year. A few things were discussed and even shown. The combination of what was revealed and the return of Trachtenberg, has this film highly anticipated. Trachtenberg has had recent but huge success with the Predator franchise. He put new life into the franchise by directing Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers. He hopes, as well as fans, to continue riding the success into Predator: Badlands. What was revealed at San Diego Comic Con has fans hyped.
Perhaps the biggest reveal was the first 15 minutes of the film. The opening scene revealed much. To keep spoilers at a minimum, much won’t be discussed here. In the opening scene of the movie, new information on how the Predator species mature was shared. It even revealed something not seen at all in Predator films; a family dynamic among the species. The protagonist of the film, a young Predator named Dek, is shown growing up under scrutinization. What he experiences in this scene sets up his drive which sets the rest of the film in motion.
Dan Trachtenberg also discussed the emotions the film will have. Predator: Badlands will have a Predator as the protagonist, something brand new to the franchise. The reason being because Trachtenberg noticed the trend in the movies where the Predators die at the end. That is something he wants to change. One way of doing is making a Predator the central character. But there must be emotions that stem from the character to make them believable. The direction Trachtenberg is moving Dek is that of an underdog. Someone who is doubted but pushes themselves to prove others wrong and prove to themselves that they are worth something. This does leave the door open for some emotional resonance. Audiences need to have something to latch onto with Dek in order to capture that emotional element Trachtenberg wants. Since this is a role that is familiar with most, perhaps that could work. Adding emotion to the Predator franchise is something that Trachtenberg is familiar with. He did add lots of it in Predator: Killer of Killers. The Shield and The Sword chapters in Predator: Killer of Killers were heavily driven by emotion, with The Sword chapter perhaps being the best of the three.
But even though emotion will be implemented, does not mean violence will suddenly disappear. Trachtenberg was creative in the violence that was shown in Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers. No reason to believe it won’t be used again. In fact, he did say that a certain spine rip is pretty savage. Saying that it could easily rival any other violent kill that the franchise has shown. Perhaps the best thing about that is Trachtenberg got the scene from a Predator comic book. It shows that he values the stories that exist in the comic books and that they are acknowledged.
One of the most interesting and captivating additions to the film, is a certain robotic character. Elle Fanning is going to be playing an android but not just any ordinary android. She will be a Synthetic from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. If that sounds familiar it’s because it is, just not in the Predator franchise. This company exist in the Alien franchise. With the inclusion of the Synthetic, it does make fans wonder if another clash between Predators and Aliens is on the horizon. It does add fuel to the flame since Dan Trachtenberg and Alien: Romulus’ director Fede Alverez expressed interest in doing an Alien vs. Predator movie together. Not much was said about anything regarding that. The only thing that came close was when Trachtenberg entertained that idea of a Predator vs Synthetic fight, saying it will be answered to a certain extent. But the inclusion of something from the Alien franchise in a Predator movie does put clear writing on the wall.
Perhaps the one thing fans will latch on to the most from Predator: Badlands’ panel is a little tease about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch. Trachtenberg did say that he and Schwarzenegger have talked about a return. Not much was added after.
The Predator franchise right now is on a hot streak due to Dan Trachtenberg’s handing of it. He has added new lore, new locations and new Predator types to the brand. The hope is for that success to flow into Predator: Badlands. With the news coming out of this year’s San Diego Comic Con, the hype for the movie is in full swing now.
