The debut trailer for *Predator: Badlands* has ignited a flurry of excitement and curiosity among fans, particularly regarding the design of the new Predator. In an insightful interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg unveiled intriguing details about the film, including his innovative approach to the iconic sci-fi hunter.
The new Predator, named Dek and portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, breaks from tradition by taking on a protagonist role. Described as an underdog Yautja "runt," Dek's character diverges from the typical portrayal of Yautja as antagonists in previous Predator movies. This fresh perspective promises to bring a new dimension to the franchise.
Dek's chosen hunting ground is a "Death Planet" named Kalisk, where he battles to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan. His design is notably different from past Predators, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, aligning with his "runt" status.
*Predator: Badlands* centers on Dek's journey, but he is not alone on Kalisk. He collaborates with a character played by Elle Fanning, whose appearance, as discussed by IGN, suggests she might be a synth from the Alien franchise, hinted at by the Weyland Yutani logo on her eyes.
Trachtenberg drew inspiration for the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character from the 2005 PlayStation classic *Shadow of the Colossus*. He 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 horse in *Shadow of the Colossus* as a driving force behind the relationship in *Predator: Badlands*, aiming to showcase a contrast between the laconic Dek and the more expressive and capable Fanning.
While Trachtenberg remained coy about the Alien connections and the true nature of Fanning's character, he teased, "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. Before that, fans can look forward to Trachtenberg's animated anthology, *Predator: Killer of Killers*, which will be released in June.
