Predator Fans Are Worried About Badlands For One Big Reason

Enthusiasts of the Predator series are expressing their dissatisfaction with the teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands. Devoted followers of the franchise have been savoring the past few years, thanks to filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg, who has been instrumental in its growth. Trachtenberg directed last year’s straight-to-Hulu movie Prey, and he is set to direct Predator: Badlands, starring Elle Fanning. The teaser trailer offered a sneak peek at what fans can anticipate in Predator: Badlands, including a shocking twist where the Predator takes on the role of protagonist. This “heroic” Predator, specifically, has sparked much debate among fans, with many expressing concerns about its visual appearance, not in a favorable light.

Following the release of the Predator: Badlands trailer on Reddit, numerous fans voiced their dissatisfaction with the Predator’s appearance, particularly when its helmet was removed and its face was exposed. One comment read, “That predator design is laughable lol. Is this like the Scary Movie rendition of a Predator movie?” The majority of comments that followed were critical as well.

The original comment was, “Yeah, the Predator design looks terrible.” However, in a more polite and considerate way, you could say, “I understand that they made the Predator thinner so a human actor can play it convincingly. Yet, I find the new design seems quite out of place.

A user provides additional information about the Predator’s physical appearance in an attempt to ease concerns. “He appears to be a young member of the species, so he won’t have the same level of muscular development or impressive features as a fully matured hunter,” the Reddit user explains.

In the movie “Badlands”, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi plays our young version of the Predator character. The decision to have him play the Yautja hunter initially and later use CGI for additional effects has sparked a lot of controversy recently. Alongside Fanning’s Thia, Schuster-Koloamatangi’s Predator joins forces with her on an isolated alien planet, where they encounter their greatest enemy yet.

In the film “Predator: Badlands,” directed by Dan Trachtenberg, it was mentioned at a press event (which ComicBook was present at) that the main character Dek’s actor is named Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. An unusual casting choice was made for this role as they were seeking a stuntman due to the specific requirements for all other Predators to be exceptionally tall, around seven-foot-six. Trachtenberg explained that it’s not common to find individuals of such size who are also trained stuntmen, as many in this line of work aren’t usually that big.

He went on to say, “Dane DiLiegro, who played the feral in ‘Prey’, had a desire to be part of the industry. However, he was also an ex-basketball player. This time around, I thought, ‘We can find a skilled stuntman for this role.’ During one of our auditions, a man named Dimitrius appeared. His movements were simply captivating, displaying a natural swagger. He was incredibly cool. To test his abilities, we set up an obstacle course. That’s how we selected him. Afterward, he performed some dramatic scenes from the movie, and it was incredible. I never expected the level of talent he possesses; it was beyond what I had imagined – I couldn’t believe we managed to find this guy!

Predator: Badlands” features Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi in the lead roles. This future-set sci-fi story unfolds on a distant planet, where a young Predator (Schuster-Koloamatangi), shunned by his tribe, befriends Thia (Fanning) and ventures on a perilous quest to confront their greatest enemy. The film is helmed by director Dan Trachtenberg and produced by John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O’Connor.

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2025-04-28 17:40