"Predator: Badlands Director Unveils 'Death Planet' and New Predator Names, Cites Shadow of the Colossus as Inspiration"

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

The new Predator, named Dek, is portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Described as an underdog Yautja "runt," Dek takes on a protagonist role, a significant departure from the typical antagonistic portrayal of Yautja in previous Predator films. Dek chooses the "Death Planet" Kalisk as his hunting ground, striving to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan.

Dek's design diverges from his predecessors, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, aligning with his characterization as a "runt." *Predator: Badlands* centers on Dek's journey, yet he is not alone on Kalisk. He forms an alliance with a character played 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 drew inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation classic *Shadow of the Colossus* for the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character. He likened their relationship to the poignant bond between the protagonist and the horse in the game, emphasizing the emotional depth he aims to capture 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 explained.

While Trachtenberg remained coy about the Alien connections and the true nature of Fanning's character, he hinted at a "unique hook" that enhances the pairing of Dek and her character, promising an exciting twist to the narrative.

*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.