Feature Films Sequence
Predator: Badlands - Cave Fight Sequence
The Yard VFX
theyard-vfx.com
For a key sequence in Predator: Badlands, The Yard delivered the cave duel between Dek and Kwei—an intense, fully integrated VFX sequence set within a vast crystal cavern. This complex sequence combines digital doubles, complex environments, and intricate lighting.
The environment itself was inspired by real crystalline caverns, then reinterpreted to align with the visual language of the Predator universe. Designed to support a brutal, highly choreographed fight, the cave required a flexible spatial layout capable of accommodating dynamic staging and complex camera movements. The Yard developed this specific environment from concept stage to final images, and approached it from modular environment elements and multiple full-CG setups, ensuring continuity across shots while allowing the action to unfold seamlessly within a coherent and believable space.
Lighting and compositing were central to achieving the final look. Immersed in semi-darkness and dense atmospheric fog, the cave is defined by precise light sources filtering through translucent crystal structures. This created a layered visual complexity, where multiple depths, volumetrics, and reflections had to interact consistently across characters, FX, and environment. Careful compositing ensured clarity of action while preserving the mood and physical credibility of the space.
The sequence also relied heavily on digital doubles for Dek and Kwei, enabling the full scope of the fight choreography. Built from shared assets within the multi-studio production organization, The Yard ingested and adapted models from Wētā FX and Trixter, aligning them with its own pipeline while maintaining visual consistency across vendors. Particular attention was given to look development, animation fidelity, and interaction with the environment, ensuring that each movement felt grounded, powerful, and true to the characters.
Across the sequence, close collaboration between modeling, layout, animation, FX, lighting, and compositing teams allowed The Yard to balance technical complexity with narrative clarity—crafting a visceral and immersive duel that fully integrates performance, environment, and cinematic intensity.
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CREW
Laurens Ehrmann - Senior VFX Supervisor
Elisa Perez - VFX Producer
Virginie Wintrebert - VFX Executive Producer
Bertrand Cabrol - CG Supervisor
Julien Dias - Compositing Supervisor
Tom Fonvillars - Head of CG
Gregory Ginsburger - Head of Assets
Corentin Bachelet - Head of Environments
Fabian Nowak - Head of FX
Denis Scolan - Head of Compositing
Bruno Etchepare - Animation Supervisor
Juliette Grandjonc - Lead Lookdev & Lighting Artist
Noemie Cauvin - DMP Lead Artist
Hadrien Palanca - FX Lead Artist
SOFTWARE
Maya, Houdini, Nuke