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“Predator: Badlands” has left a lasting impact on the sci-fi action genre, notably introducing the franchise’s first Yautja protagonist. With Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) appearing in nearly every scene, it was imperative for him to be more than a silent observer. As a result, the Yautja language plays a pivotal role in the film.
20th Century Studios
Director Dan Trachtenberg enlisted linguist Britton Watkins to develop this entirely new language for “Predator: Badlands.” Watkins, who has experience with fictional languages, previously refined the Klingon dialect for J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek Into Darkness.” Although not the original creator of the Klingon language, he was instrumental in adapting it for the Abramsverse sequel.
While crafting the Yautja language for “Badlands,” Watkins acknowledged potential similarities with Klingon, primarily due to the actors. “I didn’t channel anything specific about Klingon grammar,” he explained in an interview with /Film. “The languages needed to be somewhat similar because human actors would be speaking them, leading to overlapping vowel sounds.”
Beyond the linguistic ties through Britton Watkins, the Yautja and Klingons share another fundamental trait: a warrior ethos. In “Star Trek,” Klingons are known as fierce warriors with unwavering dedication to their principles, such as honor and tradition, and they readily embrace battle to defend these values.
The Yautja similarly abide by a code of honor. Their coming-of-age ritual involves proving themselves in the hunt, earning a trophy to demonstrate their worth. They respect this honor code even in defeat, acknowledging when others outmatch them. While the “Predator” franchise has intersected with Marvel and “Alien,” it has yet to clash with “Star Trek.” A showdown between Klingons and Yautja could be an exciting concept—imagine a Yautja squaring off against Worf from “Star Trek.”
The similarities between the Yautja and Klingon extend beyond language
20th Century Studios
Apart from the linguistic connection of Britton Watkins, the Yautja and Klingon share another major similarity: They’re both driven by a warrior code. In “Star Trek,” the Klingon are revered as a lethal but determined species. They believe strongly in their values — namely honor and tradition — and aren’t afraid to fight for them, welcoming battle from all who oppose their way of life.
The Yautja follows the same principle. Their rite of passage involves proving themselves on the hunting ground by claiming a trophy kill, establishing their worth to their clan. However, they’re also creatures of honor, accepting defeat if others best them in combat. While the “Predator” franchise has crossed over with Marvel and “Alien,” it has yet to collide with “Star Trek.” The Klingon and Yautja facing off to determine the most dangerous species in the universe could be a money idea — just imagine seeing a Yautja pick a fight with Worf from “Star Trek.”
