Trachtenberg talks Predator: Badlands – creating a Dek you can root for.

By ChrisPredator: Badlands NewsLeave a CommentPublished: September 22, 2025

The Predator in Predator: Badlands is no Luke Skywalker, he's still a Predator and as director Dan Trachtenberg puts it, he's still a dick, but a dick you can root for. Speaking to Empire Magazine for their latest issue, Trachtenberg discusses creating a protagonist Predator for Badlands, but assures fans the Yautja is no all-around good guy:

This crazy adventure against monsters and the elements — only this time it’s a badass Predator against those things. We wanted Dek to be relatable, but without turning him into Luke Skywalker. He’s still a Predator — we had to allow him to be a dick. But a dick you can root for.

While Trachtenberg's first foray into Yautja territory with Prey was a solo survival tale, Badlands shifts gears and is more of a relationship story – sure to bring a balance of action and comedic relief.

Yautja fans can look forward to more about Badlands in the latest issue of Empire, available September 25th!

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Dan Trachtenberg's Predator: Badlands hits theaters November 7th, 2025! Be sure to also bookmark the Predator: Badlands movie information page for up-to-date info on the upcoming Predator movie - from the film's official plot synopsis and release date, to where in the Predator movie timeline the film takes place!