To bring the Yautja protagonist Dek to life in Predator: Badlands, actor Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi faced extreme physical and linguistic trials. Released on November 7, 2025, the film required him to perform in a 33-pound creature suit across difficult New Zealand terrain.
He learned a completely new alien language and even carried co-star Elle Fanning on his back through mountains and rivers (via Men’s Health). The film, which features a Predator as the protagonist for the first time, has earned $96.6 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). It holds an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Who Plays Dek in Predator: Badlands? Everything About Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on February 6, 2001, to a family of Samoan and Tongan descent. After graduating from St Peters College in 2018, he earned a Bachelor of Communication Studies from Auckland University of Technology in 2023. He noted growing up with little Pacific Islander representation in major films, making his role as Dek especially meaningful.
His acting career began with a minor part in the 2019 mini-series Jonah. He gained significant attention in 2021 with the lead role in The Panthers, which was featured at the Toronto International Film Festival and earned him a spot in their Rising Stars Programme (via Stuff). His performance also led to a Best Actor nomination at the 2022 NZTV Awards. In 2023, he co-starred in his first feature film, Red, White & Brass.
Director Dan Trachtenberg found Schuster-Koloamatangi during an unconventional audition that involved an obstacle course. The actor improvised an alien dialect by combining his Samoan and Tongan languages. Trachtenberg told Men’s Health,
The way Dimitrius navigated that course was insane. The swashbuckle he brought to all the sliding, jumping, leaping, and weapon work was even cooler than the stuntmen. Dimitrius had a special physicality
The role’s physical demands were extensive. He trained with stunt coordinator Jacob Tomuri and fight coordinator Vincent Bouillon, using swords that were deliberately weighted to be heavier than the on-screen props. This regimen built strength in his shoulders, arms, and legs to handle the suit and action sequences. “My body was constantly sore. I was constantly hot. It was constant discomfort, essentially, being in the suit,” Schuster-Koloamatangi told Men’s Health.
Predator: Badlands Eliminates Humans Entirely to Explore Deep Yautja Culture and Honor
Predator: Badlands is the first film in the series to feature no human characters. The cast consists of Yautja and synthetics from the Alien franchise’s Weyland-Yutani Corporation, with Elle Fanning playing two distinct synthetics and Cameron Brown portraying drone models. This choice resulted in a PG-13 rating, as synthetic blood appears green and white, allowing for intense action on the hostile planet of Genna.
Director Dan Trachtenberg explained his reasoning for this creative direction. The story focuses entirely on the Yautja perspective. He told Empire Online,
That feels like a big idea, not just within Predator, but in sci-fi generally. In most sci-fi universes, the ‘creatures’ are either bad guys or sidekicks. In [Badlands] it’s: ‘What if you were with the creature on this crazy mission to prove itself, seeing everything through its eyes?’
The film examines the Yautja honor code and cultural history in depth. Schuster-Koloamatangi’s research revealed that the species’ hunting practices stem from a history of oppression, with their ancestors using hunting as a means of liberation. The trophies they collect serve as tributes to those who came before them, transforming what appears to be savage behavior into a deeply rooted cultural tradition that honors their past struggles and triumphs.
Dek’s character is an undersized Yautja who is considered an outcast by his own clan. To prove his worth, he must hunt the Kalisk, a creature that can regenerate. The film opened at number one with $40 million domestically, exceeding studio projections of $25-30 million.
What do you think about a Predator serving as the protagonist? Share your thoughts on this bold franchise direction in the comments.
Predator: Badlands is currently running in theaters worldwide.
