It’s not every day that you get to sit down with the stars of a major Hollywood film in a single interview, but then again, Predator: Badlands is no ordinary movie. This new addition to the iconic sci-fi franchise, first launched in 1987, has taken a fresh approach by making the Predator a hero and omitting human characters entirely. Instead, we focus on two main actors: Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.
Elle Fanning, known for her impressive body of work over the past two decades in films like Super 8, Maleficent, and The Neon Demon, portrays dual roles as Thia and Tessa, two Weyland-Yutani synthetics sent to the treacherous Genna planet. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, on the other hand, makes his American film debut as Dek, the main character whose true face remains hidden behind the Predator’s exterior, thanks to CGI facial capture technology.
Recently, io9 had an exclusive opportunity to chat with this talented duo to discuss the film’s unique direction, their experience in the franchise, and what the future holds for their characters.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Germain Lussier, io9: Joining a franchise can be a significant milestone for an actor. You have to think about potential sequels, merchandise, and your likeness. Did these factors play a role in your decision to join?
Elle Fanning: Absolutely, those considerations crossed my mind. However, I prioritize the director and the script. When reading this story, I immediately recognized its purpose. Dan Trachtenberg really pushes the franchise into an exciting direction. It’s a bold move, which excites me as an actress. I believe it’s time to explore the Predator’s background—this film is all about surprises. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be turned into an action figure?
io9: It seems like one of the few things you haven’t achieved yet, right?
Fanning: Exactly!
io9: The film features many intriguing creatures. Do you have a memorable story about them, either from working with practical effects or your reactions after seeing the final cut?
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi: My favorite creature has to be this android strapped to my back.
io9: [Laughs] Present company excluded, I hope!
Fanning: I’ve got to say, I loved Bud, the character played by Ravi, who was in a suit we could interact with during filming. I was honestly surprised by the Kalisk creature’s design when I first saw it.
Schuster-Koloamatangi: Right? It was impressive to see everything come together on screen. At first, we were focused on our acting, but when you see the final cut, it really hits you how grand everything looks.
io9: Dimitrius, I heard that you had to complete an obstacle course to land this role. Can you share about that experience?
Schuster-Koloamatangi: It felt like being a kid again! When I arrived for the callback, I thought it would be a “movement course,” but it turned out to be an actual obstacle course.
Fanning: I keep imagining a Wipeout style challenge, with a Predator twist!
Schuster-Koloamatangi: It certainly was serious fun. My competitive side kicked in; I wanted to finish first, but I had to remind myself it was all about performance.
io9: Elle, you’ve worked with so many highly regarded directors. What sets Dan apart?
Fanning: Dan is exceptional. His vivid imagination captivates the cast and helps create an incredible story that blends world-building with heartfelt emotional scenes. He merges these two aspects seamlessly, reminding me a little of J.J. Abrams.
io9: Having played with Yautja, do you now view previous films differently? Are there scenes where you think, “I wonder what was happening there?”
Schuster-Koloamatangi: Definitely.
Fanning: We’ve talked about revisiting those films, and I think I’ll appreciate the other Predators more.
io9: Dimitrius, before filming, did anything from the earlier movies inspire you or impact your performance?
Schuster-Koloamatangi: I wanted to capture the aura of the Yautja as depicted in previous films. You can feel their presence even when they’re not directly visible, and I aimed to evoke that same strength while adding layers of vulnerability to my character.
io9: Lastly, Dan’s other project, Killer of Killers, suggests a few characters from earlier films could still be around. Is there anyone you’d like to see your characters interact with?
Schuster-Koloamatangi: Absolutely, Arnold!
Fanning: Of course! He’s iconic.
Schuster-Koloamatangi: And I also loved Prey, so it would be fantastic to see Naru back.
Fanning: Exactly! She’s even featured in Killer of Killers.
Predator: Badlands hits theaters this Friday.
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