Predator: Badlands’ Perfect Stranger Things Cameo Explained
Dan Trachtenberg reveals how Predator: Badlands includes an ideal cameo connected to Stranger Things. The film, releasing this weekend, marks Trachtenberg's first theatrical Predator movie, following his work on Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers. Elle Fanning stars in the lead role.
Although Trachtenberg has directed projects like an episode of Prime Video's The Boys, he has never been involved with Stranger Things. The popular Netflix sci-fi series has four acclaimed seasons, with season 5 launching later this month.
The Cameo Connection
During a discussion moderated by Todd Gilchrist at ScreenRant's advanced screening of Predator: Badlands, Trachtenberg explained the cameo related to Stranger Things. The voice of Kwei's (Michael Homick) ship, the Yautja computer voice, is actually performed by Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of Stranger Things.
Behind the Scenes of the Cameo
Trachtenberg shared that this cameo was born from a missed opportunity. He was originally expected to direct an episode of the final season of Stranger Things, but scheduling conflicts with Badlands prevented this. Instead, he invited the Duffer Brothers to contribute their voices to the film:
"But there's a cameo from the Duffer Brothers... as the voice of Kwei's ship, the Yautja computer voice."
Trachtenberg's Filmography Context
- Directed Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers
- Directed an episode of The Boys on Prime Video
- Had a planned but canceled role in Stranger Things final season direction
This creative crossover adds an extra layer of excitement for fans of both franchises.
Author’s summary: Dan Trachtenberg included a unique Stranger Things cameo in Predator: Badlands by featuring the Duffer Brothers as the voice of a ship, turning a scheduling conflict into a creative nod for fans.