Three months after its release, Predator: Badlands has emerged as a standout entry in the long-running sci-fi action series. Director Dan Trachtenberg’s latest film distinguishes itself through its unique blend of extraterrestrial adventure and expanded Predator lore.
Ahead of the film’s DVD and Blu-ray release on February 17, we spoke with Trachtenberg about hidden details, cut scenes, and his continued involvement in the franchise. This interview contains spoilers, so proceed with caution.
A Unique Vision for the Predator Universe
Trachtenberg’s resume includes directing shorts for Portal and thrillers like 10 Cloverfield Lane, as well as episodes of The Boys and Black Mirror. His approach to Predator has been anything but predictable, with Prey, Killer of Killers, and now Badlands each offering a distinct take on the series.
Badlands notably deviates from the franchise’s typical gore-heavy action in favor of a sci-fi adventure inspired by fantasy classics like Willow and video games such as Shadow of the Colossus. This tonal shift raised some internal studio concerns.
“The studio was more nervous about the tone,” Trachtenberg explained. “As a hardcore Predator fan, I was excited about these choices. The goal was to create a thrilling experience for fans who’ve seen it all before, while also making something accessible to newcomers.” He emphasized that the studio’s hesitations were overcome by the film’s potential to draw in a wider audience.
Deleted Scenes and Hidden Details
The DVD and Blu-ray release includes deleted scenes and pre-visualization footage revealing concepts that didn’t make the final cut. One notable omission is a substantial synth fight sequence.
“There’s a big synth fight that we had in the middle of the movie that’s on the disc,” Trachtenberg revealed. “I was bummed it didn’t stay in, but we ultimately incorporated many elements. Every major shot that was filmed is available in the home release somehow.”
Fans have already scrutinized Badlands for Easter eggs and subtle lore expansions. The director hinted at one detail that may have flown under the radar: a skull in the Predator ship’s trophy room.
“There’s a skull on the wall that I think people are fan-guessing at what it is, but they’re wrong,” he teased. He also admitted to including personal touches, such as naming a character after his daughter, Luna Bug, and embedding crew birthdays into the film.
The Future of the Franchise
Trachtenberg has a first-look deal with Paramount, but he remains committed to the Predator universe. He’s actively developing a third post-Prey project, teased since last summer.
“Yeah, it’s something I’m still thinking about,” he confirmed. While other Predator projects could proceed without his direct involvement (as seen with Killer of Killers ), Trachtenberg’s continued presence seems likely.
Connecting the Dots: Yautja Lore and Alien Connections
The film’s Yautja designs closely resemble those seen in Killer of Killers, despite Badlands being set far into the future. Trachtenberg dismissed this as coincidental.
He also remained vague about the Yautja Prime’s practice of abducting defeated hunters, stating, “We’ll see.” He did elaborate on the Yautja’s perspective, suggesting it’s not “sore losing” but rather a high honor to compete in the arena.
Finally, the film explicitly connects to the Alien franchise through the return of MU/TH/UR drones and Elle Fanning’s dual role as synth “sisters” Thia and Tessa. Trachtenberg explained that this was intentional, mirroring Dek’s family issues with the protagonist’s complicated relationship with his father.
“Dek is dealing with his father, and they’re dealing with their Mother from the Alien franchise. All that was the rich playground we wanted to draw on for the movie,” he concluded.
In conclusion, Predator: Badlands is a deliberate expansion of the franchise, blending familiar elements with bold new directions. Trachtenberg’s continued commitment suggests the Predator universe will remain in capable hands, with more surprises to come.
