"Predator: 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 design of the new Predator, Dek. In a revealing interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg provided insights into this fresh take on the iconic sci-fi hunter.

Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is a unique Yautja character. Unlike the typical Yautja antagonists seen in previous Predator movies, Dek is an underdog "runt" and takes on the protagonist role. His mission is set on a "Death Planet" named Kalisk, where he strives to prove his worth to his father and earn acceptance within his clan.

Visually, Dek deviates from the traditional Predator design, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, aligning with his protagonist role as a "runt". This new approach to the character's design has sparked discussions among fans about the evolution of the Predator species.

While Predator: Badlands centers on Dek's journey, he is not alone on Kalisk. He interacts with a character played by Elle Fanning, whose appearance, as noted by IGN, strikingly resembles a synth from the Alien franchise, complete with the Weyland Yutani logo in her eyes. Trachtenberg drew inspiration for the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character from the 2005 PlayStation game Shadow of the Colossus, citing the emotional connection between the protagonist and his horse in the game.

Trachtenberg elaborated on the on-screen chemistry between Dek and Fanning's character, highlighting their contrasting personalities and capabilities. He teased a "unique hook" to Fanning's character that enhances their pairing, though he remained coy about the potential Alien connections.

Predator: Badlands is set to launch on November 7, 2025. Before that, fans can look forward to Trachtenberg's animated anthology, Predator: Killer of Killers, which will be released in June.