In the upcoming sci-fi film Predator: Badlands, Elle Fanning portrays Thia, an advanced Weyland-Yutani android, a role that required her to explore the broader Alien franchise influences beyond the original 1979 movie. While her co-star Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi immersed himself in Yautja culture, Fanning focused on the developments seen in the franchise’s later installments, particularly the 2012 prequel Prometheus and James Cameron’s Aliens.
Developing the Character of Thia as a Unique Synth
Fanning explained that her preparation involved understanding the nuances of the android characters in the Alien universe. She said,
“I was familiar; I’d seen Arnold [Schwarzenegger]’s movie a while back. But for me, it was more about looking into the Alien Universe. [Director] Dan [Trachtenberg] and I talked a lot about Prometheus and [Lance Henriksen’s] Bishop; we wanted to make sure Thia was distinct but also felt like she could come from that world. Though this film is set the furthest into the future we’ve seen before, so she’s the most advanced android that’s been put on screen before. Her emotions are a bit more human-like, more advanced. She has that empathy in her.”
The role challenged Fanning to bring a more empathetic, humanized quality to an artificial being in a way not previously explored on screen.
Plot and Characters: From Rival Hunters to Unlikely Allies
Predator: Badlands is set centuries after the events of Trachtenberg’s Prey and centers on Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Dek is a disgraced Yautja runt aiming to reclaim his father’s respect by taking down the Kalisk, considered the galaxy’s deadliest adversary. During his hunt, he encounters Thia, who has a lively and optimistic personality despite being a legless android. Their unlikely partnership defies the Yautja Codex, which traditionally states that they are “friend to none,” as the two join forces to complete Dek’s mission.
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi’s Deep Dive into Yautja Culture
Schuster-Koloamatangi explained his own preparation for the role, emphasizing the cultural significance behind the Yautja’s hunting rituals. He reflected,
“I did a bit of diving,”
before adding,
“I felt like I had to, to prepare for my character. So, yeah, went pretty deep, even to the point of understanding how their whole hunting ritual comes from them liberating themselves from the oppressors – that was the first trophy they ever took.”
He continued to highlight the importance of these rites, saying hunting
“is a part of their heritage and a way to pay homage to their ancestors; it’s a rite of passage.”
“I could talk about this forever, but yeah, I think you have to deep-dive when you’re riffing on iconic characters like this.”
Anticipation Builds for Predator: Badlands Release
Predator: Badlands is set to arrive in UK and US cinemas on November 7, offering fans a fresh chapter in the Predator saga with strong connections to the broader Alien franchise influences. The film promises to explore complex relationships and character dynamics within a high-stakes sci-fi setting, potentially setting a new benchmark for android and alien storytelling in the genre. As anticipation grows, viewers will witness how Thia and Dek confront their enemies and challenge long-held cultural codes in this intense and emotionally charged narrative.
