"Death Planet" Named in 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 new Predator, Dek. In a revealing interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shared intriguing details about this latest installment in the sci-fi saga, highlighting his unique approach to the iconic hunter.

Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is a departure from the typical Yautja antagonists we've seen in previous *Predator* films. Described as an underdog "runt," Dek steps into the protagonist role, bringing a fresh narrative to the franchise. His hunting ground is the "Death Planet" Kalisk, where he strives to earn his father's approval and acceptance within his clan.

Visually, Dek stands out with a design that some fans find more human-like than expected. Unlike the towering villains of past movies, Dek's smaller stature aligns with his underdog status, adding a new layer to the *Predator* lore.

*Predator: Badlands* is centered around Dek's journey, but he's not alone on Kalisk. He forms an alliance with a character played by Elle Fanning, whose appearance has sparked speculation about connections to the *Alien* franchise, especially given the Weyland Yutani logo visible on her eyes. Is she a synth? Trachtenberg remains coy but hints at a compelling dynamic between Dek and Fanning's character.

Trachtenberg drew inspiration from the 2005 PlayStation masterpiece *Shadow of the Colossus* for the on-screen relationship between Dek and Fanning's character. He cited the emotional impact of the protagonist's bond with a horse in the game, aiming to replicate a similar poignant connection in *Predator: Badlands*. He described Dek as laconic and contrasted him with Fanning's character, who is more expressive and possesses unique capabilities that Trachtenberg eagerly anticipates audiences will discover.

While Trachtenberg teased a "unique hook" to Fanning's character and the intriguing pairing with Dek, he kept the details about any *Alien* connections under wraps, leaving fans eagerly anticipating more revelations.

*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*, set to release in June.