The debut trailer for *Predator: Badlands* has ignited a flurry of curiosity among fans, especially regarding the design of the new Predator. In a revealing interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shared intriguing details about the film, including his unique vision for the iconic sci-fi hunter.

Introducing Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, this new Predator is a Yautja "runt" who takes on the protagonist role—a stark contrast to the typical antagonistic portrayal of Yautjas in previous Predator movies. Dek's journey unfolds on a treacherous "Death Planet" named Kalisk, where he battles to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan.

Dek's design diverges significantly from past Predators, appearing more human-like and notably smaller, aligning perfectly with his underdog status. *Predator: Badlands* centers on Dek's narrative, but he's not the only character on Kalisk. He teams up with a character played by Elle Fanning, who has sparked discussions about her resemblance to a synth from the Alien franchise, especially given the Weyland Yutani logo seen on her eyes.

Trachtenberg drew inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation classic *Shadow of the Colossus* for the on-screen dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character. He emphasized the emotional depth of the protagonist's relationship with another character in *Shadow of the Colossus*, particularly the poignant connection with a horse, as a driving force behind his vision for *Predator: Badlands*. "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 further elaborated on the contrast between Dek and Fanning's character: "There's a thing with a horse in *Shadow of the Colossus* that's devastating when you play the game. And so [*Predator: Badlands*] was a little bit inspired by that in terms of wanting to see the Predator with someone else, this character who's the opposite of him. He's very laconic, [Fanning] is not. She's capable in ways that he is not. Physically, she's got a real thing that I'm so excited for you guys to see. But I want to let eventually some of that speak for itself."

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

*Predator: Badlands* is slated for release on November 7, 2025. Prior to that, fans can look forward to Trachtenberg's animated anthology, *Predator: Killer of Killers*, which will premiere in June.