The movie Predator: Badlands has recently gained prominence thanks to its release on streaming platforms and its physical format launch, which includes an audio commentary by director Dan Trachtenberg. In this commentary, Trachtenberg reveals that the original ending of the film featured a much more contemplative duel, inspired by the styles of Sergio Leone and Akira Kurosawa. However, after the audience reactions during test screenings, it was decided to modify this ending to satisfy the audience’s desire for more action between the central characters.
They finally decided on something different
The director mentions that the first decision was to add more Predators to the confrontations, culminating in a spectacular moment where Dek eliminates two of them in one blow. This quest for a more dynamic outcome reflects a need to do justice to the fans’ expectations, who wanted to see more confrontations after the intense tension of the film’s first acts.
Additionally, the visual confrontation between Dek and his father draws inspiration from scenes in Predator: Prey and from Shakespeare’s work Macbeth, which adds a rich background of cultural references. Trachtenberg also maintained the shocking sequence in which Bichito eats his father’s head, a moment designed to capture the audience’s attention, despite the absence of some characters in the previous scene.
Finally, regarding his doubts about how to close the film with the arrival of Dek’s mother, the director sought the advice of the iconic James Cameron, who provided his perspective on this ending. Predator: Badlands is now available for streaming on Disney+.
