"Death Planet" Confirmed for New Predator Film, Inspired by Shadow of the Colossus

The debut trailer for *Predator: Badlands* has ignited a flurry of excitement and questions among fans, particularly about the design of the new Predator, Dek. In an illuminating interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shared intriguing details about this fresh take on the iconic sci-fi hunter.

Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is a unique addition to the Predator franchise. Unlike the typical Yautja antagonists we're used to seeing, Dek is an underdog "runt" who takes on the protagonist role. This new Predator embarks on his journey on a "Death Planet" named Kalisk, where he seeks to prove his worth to his father and earn acceptance within his clan.

Dek's design diverges from previous Predators, appearing more human-like and notably smaller in stature, fitting his "runt" characterization. *Predator: Badlands* centers around Dek's story, but he's not alone on Kalisk. He's joined by a character played by Elle Fanning, whose appearance, as discussed by IGN, strikingly resembles a synth from the Alien franchise, complete with the Weyland Yutani logo on her eyes.

The dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character is inspired by the 2005 PlayStation masterpiece *Shadow of the Colossus*. Trachtenberg 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 highlighted the emotional impact of the relationship between the protagonist and the horse in *Shadow of the Colossus*, drawing parallels to the bond between Dek and Fanning's character, who contrasts Dek's laconic nature with her own vibrant and capable persona.

While Trachtenberg remained coy about the Alien connections and the exact nature of Fanning's character, he hinted at a "unique hook" that adds excitement to their pairing.

*Predator: Badlands* is set to launch on November 7, 2025. Fans can get a taste of Trachtenberg's vision earlier with the animated anthology *Predator: Killer of Killers*, which is slated for release in June.