Imagine a Predator, already struggling to prove himself, facing an even greater challenge: blindness. That was almost the reality for Dek, the young Yautja at the heart of "Predator: Badlands." Director Dan Trachtenberg, known for his innovative approach to the "Predator" franchise, initially envisioned a very different path for his protagonist. But here's where it gets controversial... Did he make the right call by changing his mind?
Trachtenberg, the creative force behind the critically acclaimed "Prey" and the animated anthology "Predator: Killer of Killers," pushed the boundaries of the "Predator" universe even further with "Predator: Badlands." Set in the most distant future of any "Predator" or "Alien" film, the story follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a Yautja considered the 'runt' of his clan. Ostracized and seeking redemption, he finds himself on a dangerous planet where he must prove his worth. However, Trachtenberg originally intended to amplify Dek's struggle significantly.
In an interview, Trachtenberg revealed a surprising detail: Dek was initially conceived as a blind warrior. "The first instinct that we have initial treatments of was always that he was gonna be the runt of the litter. But he was, and I cannot believe that I'm just now remembering this, he was blind," Trachtenberg explained. Think about the implications! A blind Predator seeking vengeance against his father, even with the aid of Elle Fanning's android character, Thia. It would have added a whole new layer of complexity and vulnerability to the character.
Delving deeper into his thought process, Trachtenberg elaborated on the inspiration behind this bold idea. "I was sort of thinking of 'Blind Fury' or 'Book of Eli' and the blind Samurai. Or Daredevil, even. Though he was blind and seen as the runt, he developed extrasensory things. I even have pre-vis for some of this stuff, he had a mask that was just over his eyes. It wasn't covering his full face, and it allowed him to use echolocation. It allowed him to use the clicks to 'see,' so to speak, where things were. He was gonna lose that mask and have to overcome that." The concept involved Dek using echolocation, much like a bat, to navigate his surroundings, aided by a specialized mask. The loss of this mask would then force him to adapt and overcome an even greater obstacle.
So, why did Trachtenberg ultimately abandon the idea of a blind Predator? And this is the part most people miss... It wasn't about technical limitations; it was about the audience's connection to the story.
Trachtenberg has consistently defied expectations within the "Predator" franchise. While a "Prey" sequel might have been the obvious choice, he opted to explore new territory with "Badlands." This decision has proven successful, with the film receiving positive reviews and exceeding box office expectations. However, the director realized that making Dek blind might have been a step too far, potentially hindering the audience's ability to fully immerse themselves in the alien world. "I started to realize, I love it when the audience feels linked to the main character and we're going to this new planet. To take advantage of that characteristic of his, I felt compelled as I was sort of coming up with how we would shoot certain things, to do stuff that would make you feel like you're not seeing also what he's not seeing. But that was really fighting against, we're going to this new crazy planet together, and then we're not going to be able to experience it and see it." In essence, he felt that limiting the audience's perspective would detract from the sense of discovery and wonder as they explored the new planet alongside Dek. He wanted viewers to experience the alien landscape firsthand, something that would have been compromised by Dek's blindness.
Trachtenberg concluded, "That forced us to start to think of, 'Okay, what if it's not the blind thing? Then it really just became size and stature in the clan." The focus then shifted to Dek's physical stature and his position within the Predator hierarchy.
But don't despair, fans of the 'blind warrior' trope! The concept might not be entirely dead. Trachtenberg has hinted at future installments in his "Predator" universe, leaving the door open for the 'blind Predator' idea to be revisited in a future character or story. It's a fascinating concept with a lot of potential, and it might find its perfect application in a different context.
"Predator: Badlands" is currently playing in theaters. Now, what do you think? Would a blind Predator have made "Badlands" better or worse? Do you agree with Trachtenberg's decision to prioritize the audience's visual experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
