The debut trailer for Predator: Badlands has ignited a flurry of excitement and 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 upcoming film, including his innovative approach to the iconic sci-fi hunter.
The new Predator, named Dek and portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, breaks from tradition by taking on a protagonist role. Described as an underdog Yautja "runt," Dek's character diverges from the typical portrayal of Yautja as antagonists in previous Predator movies.
Dek chooses a "Death Planet" named Kalisk as his hunting ground, where he battles to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan. His design is notably different from past Predators, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, aligning with his "runt" status.Predator: Badlands centers on Dek's journey, but he is not alone on Kalisk. He collaborates with a character played by Elle Fanning, whose appearance suggests a connection to the Alien franchise, as evidenced by the Weyland Yutani logo on her eyes. This has led to speculation about her being a synth.
That's the Weyland Yutani logo on Elle Fanning's eyes. Is she a synth?Trachtenberg drew inspiration for the dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character from the 2005 PlayStation game Shadow of the Colossus. He explained, "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 further elaborated on the emotional impact of Shadow of the Colossus, particularly the bond between the protagonist and his horse, which influenced the relationship between Dek and Fanning's character. Trachtenberg highlighted their contrasting personalities and capabilities, teasing that Fanning's character has a unique physical attribute that he's eager for audiences to discover.
While Trachtenberg remained coy about the Alien connections and the true nature of Fanning's character, he hinted at an exciting "unique hook" in their pairing.
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.
