"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 curiosity among fans, particularly about the new Predator's design. In an insightful interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg unveiled 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 a departure from the norm. Described as an underdog Yautja "runt," Dek takes on a protagonist role, a stark contrast to the usual antagonistic portrayal of Yautja in Predator movies. Dek's story unfolds on a "Death Planet" called Kalisk, where he battles to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan.

Visually, Dek stands out from his predecessors, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, aligning with his "runt" status. *Predator: Badlands* centers on Dek's journey, but he's not alone on Kalisk. He forms an alliance with a character played by Elle Fanning, whose appearance, as discussed by IGN, suggests she might be a synth reminiscent of the Alien franchise, highlighted by the Weyland Yutani logo on her eyes.

Trachtenberg drew inspiration for the 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 shared. He also referenced the emotional impact of the horse in *Shadow of the Colossus*, hinting at a similar poignant connection in *Predator: Badlands*. Trachtenberg described Dek as laconic, contrasting with Fanning's character, who is more expressive and capable in unique ways.

While Trachtenberg remained coy about the Alien connections and the nature of Fanning's character, he teased, "There's a unique hook to her character that is exciting in the pairing of [her and Dek]."

*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*, scheduled for release in June.