Get ready for a thrilling revelation! The original vision for 'Predator: Badlands' was even more intense than you could imagine. Director Dan Trachtenberg, a true master of the 'Predator' universe, initially planned to make the film's protagonist, Dek, face an extraordinary challenge: blindness.
In a recent interview, Trachtenberg shared his creative process, revealing that the idea of a blind Dek was inspired by iconic blind characters like the Samurai in 'Book of Eli' and even the superhero Daredevil. This twist would have added a unique layer of complexity to Dek's journey, especially as he sought revenge against his father on a hostile planet.
However, as the director explained, this concept, while intriguing, might have hindered the audience's connection to the new world they were exploring with Dek. He wanted viewers to fully immerse themselves in this distant future planet, and a blind protagonist could have limited that experience.
"I started to realize, I love it when the audience feels linked to the main character... 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," Trachtenberg said.
So, the team had to rethink their approach. They decided to focus on Dek's physical stature and his status as the 'runt' of his clan, which still presented a significant challenge for the young Yautja.
But here's where it gets controversial... Should the director have stuck with the blind concept, or was it the right call to change it? And this is the part most people miss: Trachtenberg has left the door open for this idea to be explored in future 'Predator' installments.
What do you think? Should a blind Predator make a comeback, or was it a wise decision to leave this idea on the cutting room floor? Let us know in the comments!
