SAN DIEGO – Dan Trachtenberg’s first “Predator” movie experience was sitting in the back of a car in the 1980s, heading to a karate tournament and listening intently as other kids ran down the plot of that cool new Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi action movie.
“I grew up loving the idea of seeing an R-rated movie for the first time and ‘Predator’ was that,” the director said at a Comic-Con panel on Friday, July 25, for latest franchise effort “Predator: Badlands” (in theaters Nov. 7).
“Badlands” marks the first time in the long-running series that a Predator is the actual protagonist rather than the villain – in this case, a young alien hunter named Dek (played by New Zealand actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi). And it’s the latest movie where Trachtenberg, who also directed “Prey” and the animated “Killer of Killers,” is taking “Predator” to new places.
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That said, Trachtenberg revealed at the panel he recently had breakfast with Schwarzenegger and is looking to “cook up stuff for that guy.” The first bit: His character Dutch in the original 1987 film has now been added to a key post-credits scene in “Killer of Killers” (streaming on Hulu) that hints to where things could go in the future.
“Badlands” was inspired by Trachtenberg realizing that, in these movies, “the Predator never wins. They’re supposed to be the greatest hunters in the galaxy.” The director showed off the first 15 minutes of the movie, which introduces Dek as the runt of his clan and why he needs to travel to a “death planet” called Genna to track down an “unkillable” foe and prove himself.
“We really have never in movies seen the Predator hunting on a planet where everything, from grass to creatures, could kill you. He’s essentially the Dutch of this movie,” Trachtenberg said.
“It was a really fun experiment, the whole process of bringing Dek to life,” Schuster-Koloamatang said. “The suit is a little taxing. But it’s really rewarding feeling when you get to hang up your boots – or your Yautja feet.”
Dek gets help from Thia (Elle Fanning), an android with half a body that goes on the quest with him. Trachtenberg liked the concept of Thia “being strapped to that guy for the gauntlet that he has to go through” a la Chewbacca carrying C-3PO parts in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.”
Also noteworthy: Thia is a Weylandi-Yutani android, meaning that “Badlands” takes place in the same universe as the “Alien” movies. Does the “Predator” guy want to be the “Alien vs. Predator” guy? “Wouldn’t that be cool,” Trachtenberg said.
One big change in “Badlands” is in actually filming the Predator. Before, actors would in be suits and the actor would wear a giant mask so the Predator’s mandibles and jaws were controlled by filmmakers. This time, Schuster-Koloamatangi wore the armor but the face was open so the Predator’s facial expressions would match the actor’s via motion-capture performance.
“We really wanted to make sure we could go to emotional places that have never happened in previous films,” Trachtenberg said. He described it as “this beautiful moment” of old school meeting digital, “all bring driven by Dimitrius’ performance.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Predator: Badlands’ director debuts first 15 minutes at Comic-Con
