'Death Planet' Confirmed for Predator: Badlands, New Predator Named, Inspired by Shadow of the Colossus

The debut trailer for Predator: Badlands has ignited a flurry of excitement and curiosity among fans, particularly about the new Predator's design. In an engaging interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg unveiled intriguing details about this latest installment in the iconic sci-fi franchise.

Introducing Dek, the new Predator, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Unlike the traditional Yautja antagonists seen in previous Predator films, Dek takes on the protagonist role as an underdog "runt" among his kind. This unique perspective adds a fresh layer to the narrative.

Dek's chosen hunting ground is the ominous "Death Planet" known as Kalisk, where he battles to earn the respect of his father and acceptance within his clan. Visually, Dek diverges from past Predators with a more human-like appearance and a smaller stature, aligning with his "runt" status.

Predator: Badlands centers on Dek's journey, but he's not alone on Kalisk. He forms an alliance with a character played by Elle Fanning, whose look has sparked speculation about connections to the Alien franchise due to the Weyland Yutani logo visible in her eyes. Could she be a synth? Trachtenberg remains coy about these connections but hints at a compelling dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character.

The on-screen relationship between Dek and Fanning's character draws inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation classic Shadow of the Colossus. Trachtenberg shared, "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 elaborated on the emotional resonance of the game, particularly the poignant bond between the protagonist and his horse, which influenced the dynamics in Predator: Badlands. Trachtenberg highlighted the contrast between the laconic Dek and the more expressive and capable Fanning, promising an exciting visual and narrative experience.

While Trachtenberg kept details about Fanning's character and the Alien connections under wraps, he teased a "unique hook" to her character that enriches the pairing with 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, premiering in June.