The debut trailer for Predator: Badlands has ignited a flurry of questions among fans, especially regarding the unique design of the new Predator. In an insightful interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shed light on several intriguing aspects of this upcoming sci-fi thriller, including his innovative approach to the iconic alien hunter.
The new Predator, named Dek and portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, takes on the role of an underdog Yautja "runt." Traditionally, Yautja—the alien race known for hunting—are portrayed as antagonists in the Predator franchise. However, Predator: Badlands flips this narrative by making Dek the protagonist. His chosen battleground is a "Death Planet" named Kalisk, where he aims to prove his worth to his father and gain acceptance within his clan.
Dek's design diverges from previous Predators, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, fitting his characterization as a "runt." This fresh take has sparked discussions among fans about his appearance and role.
While Predator: Badlands centers on Dek's journey, he is not alone on Kalisk. He collaborates with a character portrayed by Elle Fanning, who sports the Weyland Yutani logo in her eyes, hinting at possible connections to the Alien franchise. Trachtenberg drew inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation masterpiece Shadow of the Colossus for the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character.
"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 shared. He emphasized the emotional depth of their relationship, likening it to the bond between the protagonist and the horse in Shadow of the Colossus. "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 specifics of Fanning's character, particularly her potential ties to the Alien universe. "There's a unique hook to her character that is exciting in the pairing of [her and Dek]," he teased, leaving fans eager to uncover more about this intriguing duo.
Predator: Badlands is set to premiere 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.
