The debut trailer for Predator: Badlands has ignited a flurry of questions among fans, particularly about the design of the new Predator. In an insightful interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg shed light on the upcoming film and introduced us to a fresh take on the iconic sci-fi hunter.

The new Predator, named Dek, is brought to life by actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Unlike the typical Yautja antagonists we're accustomed to in Predator movies, Dek is portrayed as an underdog "runt" and takes on the protagonist role. This shift in perspective promises a unique narrative journey.

Dek's chosen battleground is a "Death Planet" called Kalisk, where he seeks to prove his worth to his father and earn acceptance within his clan. His design diverges from previous Predators, appearing more human-like and smaller in stature, fitting his role as a "runt" protagonist.

Predator: Badlands revolves around Dek's journey, but he is not alone on Kalisk. He teams up with a character portrayed by Elle Fanning, whose appearance has sparked discussions about her potential connection to the Alien franchise, particularly due to the Weyland Yutani logo visible in her eyes.

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 and his horse, aiming to replicate a similar poignant connection in 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 explained.

He further elaborated on the contrasting traits of the duo, noting, "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 exact 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, which will be released in June.