"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 regarding the design of the new Predator, named Dek. In a revealing interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shared intriguing details about this latest installment in the iconic sci-fi franchise.

Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, marks a departure from traditional Predator roles. As an underdog Yautja "runt," Dek takes on the protagonist role, a significant shift from the usual antagonistic portrayal of Yautjas in previous films. Set on a "Death Planet" called Kalisk, Dek's mission is to prove his worth to his father and earn acceptance within his clan.

Visually, Dek stands out with a more human-like appearance and a smaller stature compared to past Predator villains, aligning with his unique role in the story. *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, complete with the Weyland Yutani logo in her eyes, suggests she might be a synth 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 highlighted the emotional impact of the game's protagonist's relationship with a horse, aiming to replicate a similar connection and contrast in *Predator: Badlands*. While Dek is described as laconic, Fanning's character brings a vibrant contrast, excelling in ways that Dek does not, and Trachtenberg is eager for audiences to discover her unique capabilities.

Though Trachtenberg remained coy about the potential *Alien* connections and the true nature of Fanning's character, he hinted at an exciting and unique hook in their pairing. Fans can look forward to *Predator: Badlands* hitting the screens on November 7, 2025. Before that, Trachtenberg's animated anthology, *Predator: Killer of Killers*, will be released in June, adding to the anticipation surrounding this evolving franchise.