The debut trailer for *Predator: Badlands* has ignited a flurry of questions among fans, particularly regarding the design of the new Predator. In an insightful interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shed light on several intriguing aspects of the upcoming film, including his innovative approach to the iconic sci-fi hunter.
The new Predator, named Dek and portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, introduces a fresh perspective to the franchise. Described as an underdog Yautja "runt," Dek takes on the protagonist role, a departure from the typical portrayal of Yautja as antagonists in previous Predator movies.
Dek chooses a "Death Planet" named Kalisk as his hunting ground, where he battles to earn the respect of his father and gain acceptance within his clan. Notably, Dek's design diverges from his predecessors, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, aligning with his "runt" characterization.
While *Predator: Badlands* centers on Dek's journey, he is not alone on Kalisk. He forms a unique partnership with a character portrayed by Elle Fanning, who, as discussed by IGN, bears a striking resemblance to a synth from the Alien franchise, complete with the Weyland Yutani logo in her eyes.
Trachtenberg revealed that the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character draws inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation classic *Shadow of the Colossus*. "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," Trachtenberg elaborated. He highlighted the emotional impact of the protagonist's relationship with a horse in *Shadow of the Colossus*, noting a similar emotional resonance in *Predator: Badlands*. "There's a thing with a horse in *Shadow of the Colossus* that's devastating when you play the game. And so [Predator: Badlands] was a little bit inspired by that in terms of wanting to see the Predator with someone else, this character who's the opposite of him. He's very laconic, [Fanning] is not. She's capable in ways that he is not. Physically, she's got a real thing that I'm so excited for you guys to see. But I want to let eventually some of that speak for itself."
Trachtenberg remained coy about 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]."
Mark your calendars: *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*, slated for release in June.
