Fans of "Predator: Badlands" are already aware of what happens at the end of that movie. Those who haven't should stop reading right now, as this article contains spoilers that only fans are familiar with. It was evident from the ending of Predator: Badlands that the journey of its protagonist, Dek, is far from over, despite having killed his father, Njohrr. When it is revealed that Dek also has a mother, whose spacecraft was seen approaching from a distance, thereby hinting that Dek's battles could get more complicated than before.
Dek’s troubled relationship with his father is a central theme of the first film. As the weakest member of his Yautja clan, Dek was frequently judged harshly by Njohrr, who even planned his execution. However, Dek’s brother Kwei heroically sacrificed himself, sending Dek to the dangerous planet Genna. After surviving his trials there alongside Thia (played by Elle Fanning), Dek ultimately defeated Njohrr, claimed his father's cloaking device, and witnessed his mother’s arrival.
In an interview with ScreenRant, director Dan Trachtenberg shared insights about the role Dek’s mother will have in the sequel. He highlighted that female Yautja have never been prominently featured in "Predator" films, despite the character’s appearance in comics. Trachtenberg explained that while the design process hasn’t yet begun, the character’s introduction will focus on her personality and the deeper aspects of Yautja culture, steering clear of stereotypical portrayals. Rather than replicating the comic book depictions, the team plans to carve out a unique approach for the character.
Though female Yautja have appeared in various media, such as "Predator: Hunting Grounds" and expanded lore through comics and novels, their portrayal remains sparse and varied. This offers Trachtenberg plenty of creative freedom in shaping Dek’s mother for the big screen. The conclusion of "Badlands" hinted at further familial tension, suggesting that her arrival may bring new conflict for Dek, similar to what his father brought.
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The filmmaker, who also made "Prey" and the animated anthology "Predator: Killer of Killers", teased that he wants Dek's mom's introduction "to be a little unexpected," while also wanting to "avoid the tropes as much as possible." He also added that he wants the character's look to be "more intentional and focused on the cool of what the Yautja culture."
While Trachtenberg is still in the early stages of planning, he confirmed that he’s balancing the next "Predator" film with other projects under his recently signed multi-project Paramount deal. Ideas being explored include a sequel to Prey, another Badlands instalment, or picking up from the cliffhanger of "Killer of Killers". Fans will have to wait to see where the story goes next.
"Predator: Badlands" is now streaming on JioHotstar.
