"Predator: Badlands Director Unveils 'Death Planet' and New Predator Details"

The debut trailer for *Predator: Badlands* has ignited a flurry of curiosity among fans, particularly regarding the new Predator's design. In a revealing 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 and portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is described as an underdog Yautja "runt" who takes on the protagonist role. This is a departure from the typical portrayal of Yautja, the alien hunters, who are usually cast as antagonists in Predator movies.

Dek chooses a "Death Planet" called Kalisk as his hunting ground, where he battles to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan. His design differs significantly from previous Predators, appearing more human-like and smaller, aligning with his "runt" status.

*Predator: Badlands* centers on Dek's journey, but he's not alone on Kalisk. He collaborates with a character portrayed by Elle Fanning, whose appearance has sparked discussions about potential connections to the Alien franchise, especially with the Weyland Yutani logo visible in her eyes. Is she a synth? Trachtenberg remains coy about these connections and Fanning's character's true nature.

Trachtenberg drew inspiration for the on-screen dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character 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 explained.

He elaborated on the emotional impact of the game, particularly the bond between the protagonist and the horse, and how this influenced *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."

While Trachtenberg hinted at a "unique hook" to Fanning's character that enhances her pairing with Dek, he kept the details under wraps, adding to the anticipation for the film.

*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.