When watching Predator: Badlands, viewers might be surprised to see James Cameron’s name included in the film’s credits despite his lack of formal involvement in the Predator franchise. Cameron’s influence on the movie runs deeper than it appears, reflecting his impact on modern sci-fi cinema that inspired director Dan Trachtenberg during production. This connection reveals how Cameron’s legacy shaped aspects of the film’s creative direction and technology.
How Cameron’s Proximity During Production Led to Mentorship
Predator: Badlands was being filmed in New Zealand while Cameron was working nearby on Avatar: The Way of Water. This geographic closeness enabled an uncommon mentorship opportunity between Cameron and Trachtenberg, who found himself benefiting from Cameron’s experience and insight during filming. Trachtenberg described the collaboration as a fortunate circumstance, where shared executives and studio space allowed interaction on and off set, including visits to Cameron’s editing bay and Avatar 3’s filming locations in Wellington.
“I consider myself very lucky that we were making movies at the same company,”
Trachtenberg said in an interview with io9.
“We collaborate with the same executives, and he saw Prey and loved it. So when we were heading down to New Zealand to shoot, he invited me down to Wellington to hang out on [the Avatar 3] set and in his edit bay. And I divulged all my anxiety about making this movie and the methodology that we were doing, which was going to be very new for the franchise and certainly very new to me.”
— Dan Trachtenberg, Director
Innovative Techniques Inspired by Cameron’s Motion-Capture Expertise
The fresh approach Trachtenberg referenced involved reshaping the Predator species, known as Yautja, into a hero figure—a significant shift for the franchise. A key element of this innovation was using motion-capture technology to digitally create the Predator’s face, based on Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi’s performance. This technique drew heavily from Cameron’s years of advancing motion-capture in his Avatar films, demonstrating a technical influence beyond storytelling alone.
“Then we reconvened for dinner, and we drove separately,”
Trachtenberg continued.
“And when he sat down, he said, ‘I was thinking about what you’re doing on the way over here and I think it’s going to work.’ And that was insane. He put so much wind in my sails to bring back up to Auckland and tell the whole crew.”
— Dan Trachtenberg, Director
Cameron’s Continued Guidance After Filming Wrapped
James Cameron’s input extended beyond the shoot, as Trachtenberg sought his feedback on an almost completed cut of the movie months later. Cameron admitted initial skepticism about the project but ultimately praised the final product, reinforcing the bold creative direction Trachtenberg was taking.
“Then, just a few months ago, we had a cut movie of the movie that was almost done, not quite, and I wanted to get his input before we put the finishing touches on,”
Trachtenberg recalled.
“And he wrote a note back that said, ‘I have to be honest, when I first heard about what you’re doing, I didn’t think it was going to work, but holy crap, it really worked.’”
“I don’t know if he didn’t remember the first thing or if he just knows exactly what someone in my shoes needs to hear when they hear it. So it was just amazing.”
— Dan Trachtenberg, Director
What Cameron’s Support Means for Predator: Badlands
The endorsement from James Cameron, known for revolutionizing science fiction films including Aliens, The Terminator, and Avatar, provided a significant confidence boost to Trachtenberg and his team. This kind of support likely empowered the filmmakers to experiment with new concepts and visual effects within the Predator universe. Fans awaiting the film’s release in theaters can anticipate a fresh take that combines innovative technology with a new storytelling angle, shaped by Cameron’s indirect but meaningful influence.
