Predator: Badlands director Dan Trachtenberg has revealed that the film’s earliest draft included a major storyline change, originally portraying lead character Dek as completely blind. Trachtenberg discussed the unused concept during a BAFTA interview released Saturday. The director explained that the idea was discarded late in development to preserve audience immersion. The revelation adds new context to how the film evolved ahead of its 2025 theatrical release. The comments shed light on why Predator: Badlands ultimately focused on Dek’s stature as the runt of his clan.

Story Development & Character Direction

Trachtenberg explained that the first version of Predator: Badlands positioned Dek not only as an outcast Yautja but also as a blind warrior navigating hostile terrain. The concept aimed to merge classic tropes from “Blind Fury,” “Book of Eli,” and Daredevil, giving Dek enhanced sensory perception and echolocation abilities.
Early pre-visualization even included a mask designed to amplify sonic clicks so Dek could “see” through sound. The director said the team explored sequences where Dek loses the mask, forcing him to adapt during combat.
However, as worldbuilding expanded and the film pushed deeper into futuristic territory, the creative team reconsidered the approach.

Quotes & Industry Reactions

“We always knew Dek would be the runt of the litter, but I can’t believe I’m remembering this now — he was blind,” Trachtenberg revealed.
He added:

“I liked the idea that he developed extrasensory abilities, but it became limiting. We’re exploring a new planet, and I didn’t want the audience to feel restricted from seeing what he couldn’t.”
Analysts have since noted the choice aligns with Trachtenberg’s pattern of balancing bold concepts with broad audience accessibility. Critic reactions suggest the blind-warrior angle could still appear in future Predator installments.

Franchise Positioning & Future Rankings

For a franchise tracking decades of lore and timelines, this early-development shift impacts how fans interpret Dek’s final portrayal.
Removing blindness allowed Predator: Badlands to highlight themes of hierarchy, exile, and physical disadvantage — aligning Dek more closely with underdog archetypes often seen in sports narratives.
Industry analysts note the film’s success, strong opening box office, and critical reception improve its ranking among modern sci-fi releases, potentially boosting future franchise installment momentum.

Upcoming Announcements & Expansions

Trachtenberg has confirmed multiple threads for future Predator universe expansion.
The unused blind-warrior concept remains “on the table” for future characters or spinoff stories.
With Predator: Badlands still performing strongly in theaters, franchise observers expect updates on sequels or anthology projects in early 2026. Distribution insiders anticipate announcements tied to streaming windows and upcoming universe phase plans.

Sources

• BAFTA Interview Release

• 20th Century Studios Data

• SlashFilm Coverage

• Franchise Timeline Records

• Industry Analyst Commentary