Did you catch the Stranger Things cameo in Predator: Badlands? You might have missed it, but it's a clever nod to a galaxy far, far away, and a subtle wink to the roots of the series itself!
Predator: Badlands distinguishes itself in the Predator universe in several ways. One key aspect is its limited cast. Despite this, the film, focusing on Dek and Thia, feels anything but small. It takes us not only to the Yautja Prime, the Predator's home world, but also to Genna, a dangerous alien planet teeming with lethal flora and fauna. Given the expansive settings, you might assume there'd be room for plenty of cameos, but the film keeps its focus tight.
But here's where it gets interesting: the creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, defy expectations. While they don't appear on screen, they lend their voices to the computer system on the Yautja ship initially owned by Kwei, Dek's brother. This unexpected cameo is made even more surprising by the fact that Badlands doubles up its actors in other roles. For example, the actor playing Dek also plays Njohrr, the Apex Predator, and Elle Fanning plays both Thia and her synthetic 'sister,' Tessa.
So, why the Duffers?
Well, the answer lies in the inspiration behind Badlands. Director Dan Trachtenberg drew inspiration from J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: The Force Awakens, specifically the teaser trailer that promised a Stormtrooper, Finn, as a protagonist.
And this is the part most people miss: The Force Awakens was known for its celebrity cameos. The Duffer Brothers' vocal appearance is a cute homage to those cameos. It's also a clever nod to their own successful Netflix series, creating a subtle reference loop. The original Predator from 1987 is a classic genre film routinely celebrated in Stranger Things. The name of a main character in Stranger Things, Sheriff Jim Hopper, played by David Harbour, is a direct reference to a character in the original Predator.
Do you think this is the start of a fun reference game between the Duffer Brothers and the Predator franchise? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
