"Death Planet: New Predator Named, Inspired by Shadow of the Colossus"

The debut trailer for Predator: Badlands has ignited a flurry of questions among fans, particularly regarding the new design of the iconic sci-fi hunter. In an insightful interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg unveiled several intriguing details about the film, including his innovative approach to the Predator character.

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 is a departure from the typical antagonist portrayal of Yautja, the alien hunter race, seen in previous Predator films.

Dek chooses Kalisk, a "Death Planet," as his hunting ground where he strives to prove his worth to his father and earn acceptance within his clan. His design diverges from past Predators, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, aligning with his "runt" narrative.

Predator: Badlands centers on Dek's journey, but he's not alone on Kalisk. He collaborates with a character played by Elle Fanning, who, as discussed by IGN, bears a striking resemblance to a synth from the Alien franchise. The Weyland-Yutani logo visible in her eyes fuels speculation about her synthetic nature.

Trachtenberg drew inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation game Shadow of the Colossus for the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character. He highlighted the emotional impact of the protagonist's relationship with a horse in the game, aiming to replicate a similar poignant connection between Dek and Fanning's character, who provides a stark contrast to Dek's laconic nature. Fanning's character is not only the opposite of Dek in demeanor but also possesses unique capabilities that Trachtenberg is eager for audiences to discover.

While Trachtenberg remained coy about the potential Alien connections and the true nature of Fanning's character, he teased a unique aspect of her role that enhances her pairing with Dek.

Predator: Badlands is set to premiere on November 7, 2025. Fans can look forward to Trachtenberg's animated anthology, Predator: Killer of Killers, which will be released in June before the main feature.