The upcoming film, Predator: Badlands, set to release this fall, promises a fresh take on the franchise by placing one of the iconic Predator creatures, named Dek, in a central role. Unlike its predecessors, this portrayal of Dek draws heavily from various video games, a fact revealed by director and writer Dan Trachtenberg.
Trachtenberg shared that several video games have cumulatively shaped his vision for the film. He specifically cited the dynamic from Half-Life 2, particularly the experience of befriending the robot dog, as well as the companion-driven narratives in the Prince of Persia reboot and Uncharted series, which he found enriched the journey. The critically acclaimed God of War (2018) also played a significant role, with all these titles collectively informing the unique relationship between the characters Dek and Thia.
Elle Fanning portrays Thia, an android character whose origins with the Weyland-Yutani corporation establish a direct connection to the Alien franchise. A notable aspect of Badlands will be Dek carrying Thia on his back, a visual and thematic choice Trachtenberg confirmed was directly inspired by Chewbacca carrying C-3PO in The Empire Strikes Back.
Further elaborating on the unique interplay between Dek and Thia, Trachtenberg previously mentioned that the 2005 PlayStation 2 title, Shadow of the Colossus, served as a significant influence. He explained, “I`ve been very inspired by video games [like] Shadow of the Colossus, where you have a protagonist paired with someone else who provides color and connection.” This design philosophy informed the contrast between the characters: Dek is depicted as “very laconic,” while Thia offers capabilities and expressiveness that he lacks.
Fans can anticipate the release of Predator: Badlands in theaters on November 7.