Predator: Badlands Is Inspired By A Classic PlayStation 2 Game

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This year, I’ll be thrilled to see the Predator series make its comeback to the silver screen, since it last graced us with its presence in 2018 – specifically with Predator: Badlands. Dan Trachtenberg, the mastermind behind Prey, is diving back into this franchise, crafting a fresh narrative that centers around a young Predator named Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi). This marks a groundbreaking shift for the series as we’ve never had a young Predator take the main role before. To add to the excitement, Trachtenberg recently shared that a classic PlayStation 2 game served as his inspiration for Badlands’ storyline.

The movie will additionally feature Elle Fanning as Thia, a character said to be an android connected to the Weyland-Yutan corporation from the Alien series. As per director Trachtenberg, the intriguing relationship between Dek and Thia was inspired by his encounters with Shadow of the Colossus, a game released on PS2 in 2005.

During an interview with Bloody Disgusting, Trachtenberg expressed that video games like Shadow of the Colossus have greatly inspired him. In this game, there’s a protagonist accompanied by another character who adds depth and emotional connection. A significant aspect of Shadow of the Colossus involves a horse, and its emotional impact when playing is quite profound. Drawing from this inspiration, Predator: Badlands also seeks to portray the Predator with someone else – a character that contrasts him in many ways. This character, played by Fanning, is not like the Predator; she’s expressive where he is reserved, capable in areas where he falls short, and physically impressive. Trachtenberg is eager for audiences to witness these aspects of the character. However, he wants some elements to unfold naturally on their own over time.

The main focus of the story revolves around Dek’s endeavor to demonstrate his hunting skills to his loved ones, and Trachtenberg revealed the various resources that inspired his tale.

This scene possesses a distinct mix of Frank Frazetta’s Conan the Barbarian and Spartan aesthetics, with echoes of films like The Book of Eli and Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. There’s also a strong western vibe, reminiscent of Shane and Clint Eastwood’s style.

Among the two Predator films set to release this year, one is titled “Badlands”. Sam Trachtenberg, its director, is also working on an animated film called “Predator: Killer of Killers”, which is scheduled for a direct release on Hulu on June 6th. The movie “Predator: Badlands” will be shown in theaters starting November 7.

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2025-04-28 16:40