After Dark Interview: How Dan Trachtenberg Made 'Predator: Badlands'

·1 hr 15 min·5 clips

Director Dan Trachtenberg reveals how he tweaked the 20th Century Fox logo to set the tone for Predator: Badlands.

The episode is an interview with director Dan Trachtenberg about his film Predator: Badlands. Hosts David Chen, Devindra Hardawar, and Jeff Cannata introduce Trachtenberg as the director who revitalized the Predator franchise. Trachtenberg starts by explaining his tweak to the 20th Century Fox logo audio, inspired by Alien 3 and a desire to set tone. He details placing the film's title card 17 minutes in, citing influences like The OA and video game tutorials. The discussion moves to the cave fight scene, where Trachtenberg insisted on vertical choreography with stalactites, which was initially met with skepticism. He talks about the decision to have the predator lose his weapons early, framing it as a narrative risk to make the audience root for the monster. Trachtenberg shares that deleted scenes on the disc show a different synth subplot with officer models, which was scrapped for being too generic. He explains casting Elle Fanning as the synth companion after searching for a 'female Simon Pegg', and how her natural accent replaced an initial British idea. The conversation covers practical effects, including rigs and wheelbarrows used for Fanning's backpack character. Trachtenberg notes influences from Alien: Romulus, such as the spinning eye gag, and coordination with other franchise projects. He discusses the PG-13 rating, stating it was his choice to make the film accessible to younger audiences, not a Disney mandate. The leg fight scene is highlighted as a unique moment conceived with previs and stunt coordination. Trachtenberg praises actor Demetrius for his physical performance as the predator, despite the CG face covering his expressions. Throughout, he emphasizes a creative philosophy of aiming for what can only happen in this specific movie, avoiding easy routes.

As heard by us

Trachtenberg breaks down Predator Badlands while the hosts track release details, shared-universe overlap, and practical craft.

Dan Trachtenberg steers this Filmcast After Dark conversation through Predator Badlands with David Chen, Davindra Hardor, and Jeff Cannata, and the episode makes a clean case for fans who want both spoilery talk and practical release context.

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Why you'd press play

If you want a spoiler-heavy Predator Badlands conversation with Dan Trachtenberg, steelbooks, and some franchise cross-talk.

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