Dan Trachtenberg Gave 'Predator: Badlands' a Better, More Fun Ending

In a shocking departure from the final cut of "Predator: Badlands," director Dan Trachtenberg has revealed that he originally envisioned a more subdued showdown between Dek, the young Yautja, and his father Njohrr. According to animation supervisor Karl Rapley, the initial plan involved a quick and intense samurai-inspired sequence where Dek's father would turn invisible, only to be revealed by Dek throwing sand at him.

However, Trachtenberg reportedly wanted a more cinematic experience, prompting the stunt team to create an entirely new fight scene. The Wētā effects team then digitally created Yautja Prime, complete with swirling sands and treacherous terrain, using sweeping camera moves that added to the sequence's drama.

This new fight not only showcases Dek's growth as a hunter but also highlights his cunning and strategic thinking. As animation supervisor Sheldon Stopsack noted, the sandstorm element serves as a narrative point for Dek outsmarting his father, adding an extra layer of tension and excitement to the scene.

While there has been no official word on a sequel to "Predator: Badlands," fans are undoubtedly eager to see where Dek's journey will take him next. With its more polished and thrilling conclusion, it seems that Trachtenberg has successfully reimagined his vision for the film, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating what's to come.

The addition of this new fight sequence also underscores the importance of post-production in shaping a movie's overall tone and impact. By expanding on Trachtenberg's initial vision, Wētā was able to create a more immersive and engaging viewing experience that better captures the essence of the Predator franchise.
 
🤩 I'm so stoked about the new fight scene in "Predator: Badlands"! I mean, who wouldn't want to see Dek take down his dad Njohrr in an epic sandstorm showdown? 🌀 It's amazing how the Wētā effects team was able to bring this vision to life and make it feel like a fully immersive experience. And I love how the animation supervisor Sheldon Stopsack highlighted how this scene showcases Dek's growth as a hunter and his cunning thinking - it's so cool to see him outsmart his dad! 😎 The fact that they were able to expand on Dan Trachtenberg's initial vision is really impressive, and it just goes to show how post-production can totally elevate a movie. I'm definitely rooting for Dek to take center stage in the next installment... 🚀
 
Ugh 🙄, I'm so over how much CGI is being used in movies nowadays... like, can't we just have some practical effects for once? This fight scene sounds way too cheesy with all that digitally created stuff 💸. And don't even get me started on Dek's growth as a hunter - it's just a predictable coming-of-age story 🤔. I mean, who hasn't seen this before in every other action movie out there? It's all just so... formulaic 📚.
 
idk man, i'm torn about this... 🤔 i mean, on one hand, it's awesome that they went with a new fight scene instead of the original samurai-inspired one. i think it really adds to the tension and drama of the film, and it's so cool how Dek outsmarts his dad like that.

but at the same time... 🤷‍♂️ i feel kinda bad for the sandstorm sequence being cut from the final cut? i mean, it sounds like it would've been a really unique and memorable moment in the film. maybe they could've included it as a bonus feature or something?

and another thing... 👀 why did Trachtenberg change his mind about the fight scene so much? i mean, isn't that what happens when you're in post-production for too long? just my two cents tho 😂
 
🤔 I'm not buying it... I mean, why did Dan Trachtenberg want a more cinematic experience out of nowhere? Was there some major studio pressure or something? And what's up with the Wētā effects team just magically creating this new fight scene without any fanfare or behind-the-scenes peeks? 🤷‍♂️ A quick samurai-inspired sequence sounds pretty cool to me, but I guess it's not as flashy as the final product. 🎥 Anyway, glad Dek got some more screen time and showed off his hunting skills! 👍
 
OMG I'm SO down for Dek vs Njohrr now! 🤯 The sandstorm fight is EVERYTHING - it adds this whole new level of tension & excitement! I love how Trachtenberg went from a quick samurai-inspired sequence to something way more cinematic & dramatic. And can we talk about the visuals tho? Yautja Prime looks INSANE 🔥👀
 
I'm not sure I'm sold on this new fight scene yet 🤔. Don't get me wrong, it looks epic, but is it really necessary? I mean, we already know Dek's dad can turn invisible - it's not like that was a unique selling point or anything 😂. And while the sandstorm element does add some tension, feels like it's just tacked on to make the scene more dramatic 🌪️. Still, credit where credit is due - it's definitely a game-changer for the movie, and I'm curious to see how Dek's character evolves from here 👀. But let's not get too carried away with the hype just yet... 😐
 
OMG, I'm still reeling from this news 😲! Can you even believe Dan Trachtenberg wanted Dek to just throw sand at his dad?! I mean, what even is that? 🤷‍♂️ It sounds like a total cop-out compared to the epic sandstorm sequence we got in the final cut. And can we talk about how cool it is that they added in Yautja Prime and all those sweeping camera moves? 💥 The whole thing just screams "Predator: Badlands" – I'm so here for this movie! 👏
 
omg u no wut?? 🤯 i'm low-key impressed w/ how dan trachtenberg reworked tht final cut of predator: badlands!!! 🔥 he went from 2 a super intense samurai fight scene 2 a whole new level w/ yautja prime & sandstorm sequence 😲 it's defly shows dek's growth as a hunter & his cunning thinking 🤓 i mean, who needs an invisable dad w/just 1 throw of sand lol? 😂 anyway, the post-production team did an amazing job in elevatin' tht film's tone & impact 🎥 can't wait 2 c wut dek's next move is gonna b 💥 btw, it's so true about how important it is 2 expand on ur vision during post-production 🙏
 
🤯 I think what really sets this new fight scene apart is how it humanizes Dek without undermining his connection to Yautja culture. The way he outsmarts his father, Njohrr, using the sandstorm element, shows that Dek's growth as a hunter isn't just about brute strength, but strategic thinking and cunning. It's also interesting to see how Trachtenberg has evolved this character from what we saw in the final cut, adding more depth to his storyline.

From a post-production perspective, I think Wētā did an amazing job of enhancing Trachtenberg's vision. The digital creation of Yautja Prime and the sweeping camera moves really bring the sandstorm scene to life, making it feel like an epic showdown between Dek and Njohrr. It just goes to show how much of a difference polish and attention to detail can make in the final product.

As for where Dek's journey will take him next, I'm both excited and curious! The final cut was already pretty thrilling, so whatever comes after is bound to be even more intense. 🎥
 
man... thinkin' about Dek's fight with his dad and it hit me - growth is all about embracing uncertainty 🤯. Dek wasn't just trying to defeat his father, he was figuring out who he was as a hunter and a being. that sandstorm scene? Not just action, but introspection 💨. Trachtenberg wanted more than just a cool fight scene, he wanted Dek to grow on screen, to become the hero we've been waiting for 🌱. and i think that's what makes this movie so special - it's not just about the predator, it's about Dek's journey... and that's what resonates with us, you know?
 
omg i cant even!!! 🤯 i mean i love dan trachtenberg like he's the best director ever and pred badlands is literally my fave movie of all time!!!! so when i heard about this new fight scene it was like a dream come true i'm talking cinematic experience and all that jazz 🎥🔥 i mean wētā did an amazing job with it too, the sandstorm element adds so much tension and excitement to the whole thing 🌀💥 and dek's growth as a hunter is just everything 🙌 i'm literally shipping dek and njohrr now lol 💘 anyway i'm so hyped for whatever comes next from dan trachtenberg and wētā, can we get a sequel already?!?! 😁🎬
 
OMG, can you believe how much Dek has grown as a hunter? 🤯 The new fight scene is everything! I love how it showcases his cunning and strategic thinking, he's not just a mindless killer like his dad 😂. And that sandstorm element? 💨 Mind blown! It's like the perfect blend of action and drama. Wētā really brought Trachtenberg's vision to life with those epic sweeping camera moves 🎥. I'm low-key hoping for a sequel now, Dek's journey is too interesting to leave here 😏. The power of post-production is real, it makes all the difference in creating an immersive experience 💪.
 
I'm loving how this behind-the-scenes info is giving me even more appreciation for "Predator: Badlands" 💥 I mean, can you imagine that original fight scene between Dek and Njohrr without the epic sandstorm sequence? It would've been so lacking in drama and tension 🌀. Trachtenberg's vision might have worked, but it wouldn't be as memorable or impactful as what we got. The Wētā effects team really outdid themselves this time around, creating an immersive experience that makes you feel like you're right there with Dek, dodging sand and taking down Yautja 🎥. And I'm totally here for the added layers of tension and excitement that come with Dek's cunning and strategic thinking 😎.
 
omg I just saw this fight scene from predator: badlands and it was INSANE!!! 🤯 I loved how Dek's dad went from invisible to being revealed in like 2 secs, it was so satisfying! 😂 I wonder if they could do something similar with other Yautja characters... like maybe a mom or brother? 🤔 does anyone know when predator: badlands is coming to streaming on netflix? 📺 I need to watch it again ASAP 💥
 
Dek's dad is straight-up terrifying 🤯. The new fight scene takes the whole Yautja vibe to 11 🔥. Can't wait to see where Dek goes next, hopefully a sequel 💪🏽! Post-production magic at its finest 🎥👍
 
I'm so stoked about the changes made in the final cut of "Predator: Badlands"! I mean, who wouldn't want to see Dek's dad go from invisible to getting sand in his face? 😂 It totally makes sense that Trachtenberg wanted a more cinematic experience - the sandstorm fight scene is EPIC! The way they digitally created Yautja Prime and added those sweeping camera moves really brought the whole thing together. And I love how it showcases Dek's strategic thinking - he's not just a one-dimensional hunter anymore, he's got skills! 💡
 
I love how things turned out for "Predator: Badlands" in the end 🤩. I mean, who wouldn't want Dek taking down his dad with some sick sand-throwing skills? 😂 But seriously, it's awesome that Dan Trachtenberg was able to push the boundaries and create something truly cinematic. The Wētā effects team did an amazing job bringing Yautja Prime to life! 🎥 And I think it's really cool how they were able to add more tension and excitement to the scene by incorporating the sandstorm element. It's all about thinking on your feet, right? 💡 Now, I'm super stoked to see where Dek's journey takes him next – maybe we'll even get a sequel?! 🎬
 
I'm not sure I get why we need all these fancy fight scenes anyway 🤔. A quick samurai-inspired sequence would've been cool too 👊. And what's with the digital Yautja Prime? It's just a bunch of CGI effects to me 😐. Give me some practical stunts any day! 💥 But I guess it's not my place to decide, and if people want more of this cinematic experience, who am I to argue 🤷‍♂️?
 
omg u guys can u even imagine Dek's dad turning invisible and then getting sand bombed lol what would've been though i mean it sounds like Trachtenberg wanted somethin bigger & more cinematic and wētā delivered it big time 🤯♂️! that new fight scene is pure gold, Dek's growth as a hunter is real 💪 but seriously, the sandstorm element adds so much tension & excitement to the scene, i'm hyped for Dek's next move 🌄
 
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