"Badlands Director Unveils 'Death Planet' and New Predator Names, Inspired by Shadow of the Colossus"

The debut trailer for Predator: Badlands has ignited a flurry of questions among fans, particularly regarding the new Predator's design. In a revealing interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shared intriguing insights about the film, including his innovative approach to the iconic sci-fi hunter.

The new Predator, named Dek and portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is described as an underdog Yautja "runt" and takes on the protagonist role. Traditionally, Yautja, the race of alien hunters, have been antagonists in Predator movies. Dek chooses a "Death Planet" named Kalisk as his hunting ground, where he battles to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan.

Dek's design diverges from previous Predators, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, which aligns with his "runt" persona. Predator: Badlands centers on Dek's journey, but he is not alone on Kalisk. He collaborates with a character played by Elle Fanning, who, as discussed by IGN, resembles a synth from the Alien franchise, highlighted by the Weyland Yutani logo visible in her eyes.

The dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character draws inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation classic Shadow of the Colossus. Trachtenberg explained, “As inspired as I am by movies, I’ve been very inspired by video games [like] Shadow of the Colossus, where you have a protagonist paired with someone else who provides color and connection.” He highlighted the emotional impact of the game's horse element, which influenced the desire to pair the Predator with a contrasting character. While Dek is laconic, Fanning's character is more expressive and capable in unique ways, a dynamic Trachtenberg eagerly anticipates audiences will experience.

Trachtenberg remained cautious about discussing the Alien connections and the true nature of Fanning's character, teasing, "There’s a unique hook to her character that is exciting in the pairing of [her and Dek]."

Predator: Badlands is set to launch on November 7, 2025. Prior to that, fans can look forward to Trachtenberg's animated anthology Predator: Killer of Killers, scheduled for release in June.