The debut trailer for *Predator: Badlands* has ignited a flurry of excitement and questions among fans, particularly about the new Predator design. Director Dan Trachtenberg, in an interview with Bloody Disgusting, shared intriguing details about the film, including his unique take on the iconic sci-fi hunter.
The new Predator, named Dek and portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, breaks from tradition by taking on the role of a protagonist. Described as an underdog Yautja "runt," Dek diverges from the typical portrayal of Yautja, who usually serve 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. Unlike previous Predators, Dek's design is noted to be more human-like and smaller in stature, aligning with his "runt" characterization.
*Predator: Badlands* centers on Dek's journey, but he's not alone on Kalisk. He collaborates with a character played by Elle Fanning, who sports the Weyland Yutani logo in her eyes, sparking speculation about her being a synth, reminiscent of characters from the *Alien* franchise.
Trachtenberg drew inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation game *Shadow of the Colossus* for the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character. He noted the emotional impact of the protagonist's relationship with a horse in the game, aiming to replicate a similar emotional connection in *Predator: Badlands*. Trachtenberg highlighted the contrast between the laconic Dek and the more expressive Fanning, who brings unique capabilities to their partnership.
While Trachtenberg remained coy about any direct connections to the *Alien* franchise and the nature of Fanning's character, he teased a "unique hook" that enhances the pairing of Dek and Fanning's characters.
*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.
