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

The debut trailer for Predator: Badlands has ignited a flurry of curiosity among fans, especially regarding the new Predator's design. In a revealing interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shared intriguing details about the upcoming film and introduced us to Dek, the new Predator.

Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is an unconventional choice for the franchise—a Yautja "runt" who takes on the protagonist role. Traditionally, Yautja, the alien hunters from the Predator series, are cast as antagonists. However, Dek's story unfolds on a "Death Planet" named Kalisk, where he battles to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan.

Visually, Dek stands out from his predecessors with a more human-like appearance and a smaller stature, aligning with his "runt" status. This fresh design choice adds a new dimension to the iconic sci-fi hunter.

Predator: Badlands centers around Dek's journey, but he isn't alone on Kalisk. He teams up with a character played by Elle Fanning, who sports the Weyland Yutani logo on her eyes, sparking speculation about her being a synth, reminiscent of the Alien franchise. Trachtenberg drew inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation game Shadow of the Colossus for the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character, describing it as a poignant connection similar to the bond between the protagonist and his horse in the game.

Trachtenberg teased the unique nature of Fanning's character, hinting at an exciting partnership with Dek. While he remained coy about the Alien connections, the anticipation for Predator: Badlands continues to build.

Mark your calendars for Predator: Badlands, set to premiere on November 7, 2025. Before then, don't miss Trachtenberg's animated anthology, Predator: Killer of Killers, slated for release in June.