‘Predator: Badlands’ Director Reveals Original Idea Involved Predator Hunting Nazis in WWII

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Director Dan Trachtenberg recently revealed that his initial idea for Predator: Badlands was a story about a Predator hunting Nazis in World War II.

In an interview with The Direct, Trachtenberg explained how the story evolved to focus on the Predator and its own personal journey.

Director Trachtenberg started with a simple question: what if the Predator was the winner? He wanted to move away from a standard horror-movie formula. Initially, he pictured the creature fighting Nazis during World War II, but he eventually decided to tell a story where the Predator was the main character, with its own motivations and experiences.

The director also discussed the creature’s appearance, explaining that initial designs were a bit too outlandish. He praised costume designer Ngila Dickson, who won an Academy Award for her work on The Lord of the Rings, for perfecting the Predator’s final look.

Trachtenberg described how initial designs felt overly medieval and grounded in reality. They ultimately settled on a more minimalist, nomadic style, reminiscent of the barbarian warriors from the Conan stories.

As a huge fan of the Predator franchise, especially ‘Prey,’ I was thrilled to see the new trailer for ‘Predator: Badlands’! It feels like a desperate, final stand – the tagline ‘First hunt. Last chance.’ really got to me. Mark your calendars, because it hits theaters November 7th, and I’m already counting down the days!

— 20th Century Studios (@20thcentury) July 21, 2025

Elle Fanning, who plays the characters Thia and Tessa, described them as being more sophisticated and appearing more human. She highlighted that Thia is particularly empathetic and unique, contrasting with her sister’s more cold and logical personality. According to Fanning, despite being a creature and a robot, the story is fundamentally about human experiences.

Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who plays Dek in the film, found the story’s concept surprisingly unique. He explained, “It’s wild to see the Predator as the one who’s struggling.” He also described his character as the smallest in his family and determined to prove himself.

Released on November 7th, Predator: Badlands offers a new spin on the classic Predator story, emphasizing compelling characters and a strong narrative alongside the action.

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2025-11-08 11:45