Kalisk: A Guide To The Badlands "Death Planet"

Kalisk, also known as the "Death Planet," is a central location in the 2025 film Predator: Badlands. The planet is a harsh and dangerous world where a young Yautja named Dek and a Weyland-Yutani synthetic named Thia find themselves. The story follows Dek, a young Predator outcast who is trying to earn back his honor by surviving the planet’s deadly environment. Kalisk is known for its extreme conditions and dangerous wildlife, making it one of the most difficult places to survive in the galaxy.

The Yautja "Death Planet"

Kalisk gets its nickname, the "Death Planet," from its harsh environment and deadly creatures. It is a place where only the strongest can survive. For Dek, it is more than just a place to stay alive — it is a chance to prove himself and regain his status among the Yautja. The planet is full of threats, including both natural dangers and hostile beings. Kalisk is similar to the Game Preserve Planet from Predators (2010), also a hostile world with deadly plants and animals (but maybe no Predator dogs)

Relation With Yautja Prime

Kalisk is not the Yautja homeworld, which is called Yautja Prime, but it shares strong links to their culture. The reason Dek is on Kalisk is because of Yautja traditions related to honor and exile (becoming a Bad Blood). Dek was exiled for unknown reasons after a falling out with his clan, banished by their horned leader—who may have been his own father. Some of the desert-like shots from the Badlands trailer are possibly from Yautja Prime and not Kalisk. Kalisk might be visible as one of the planets visible to Yautja Prime, possibly being in the orbit of the Predator homeworld. Yautja Prime was briefly previously featured in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, and also seen in Predator comics.

Weyland-Yutani Presence

Thia, a synthetic human created by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, also plays a key role in the story. Weyland-Yutani is a major company in both the Predator and Alien franchises, known for its interest in alien species and advanced Yautja technology. Thia’s presence on Kalisk shows that the company is still exploring dangerous planets for research or profit. Abandoned Weyland-Yutani vehicles are also seen on Kalisk, among the severed legs of an unknown android. However, the Predators would not tolerate Weyland-Yutani's presence of Kalisk if it was so close to Yautja Prime, and Predator Empire.

Flora and Fauna

Kalisk is home to many unique and dangerous plants and animals. The wildlife has adapted to the planet's extreme conditions, making them highly aggressive and hard to predict. An ape-like creature is seen attacking Dek from the jungle, while a giant gorilla-like skull is visible on the trophy wall. Both Dek and Thia must learn how to avoid or defend themselves against these creatures. The plants are just as dangerous as the animals, seen to be covered with spikes and secreting purple poison. These life forms add to the challenges of surviving on Kalisk and show how truly wild and hostile the environment is.

Climate and Topography

While Yautja Prime is supposedly barren with deserts, mountains, and caves, Kalisk is a more lush world. Both planets are presumably very hot, which suits the Yautja anatomy well. Kalisk is also shown to have mists, hinting at a humid climate, and possibly even rivers and seas. The main feature seems to be a dense jungle, with deadly plants and tentacle-like vines. The Predator: Badlands trailer shows Dek on a beach near the ocean, but it is unclear if it's Yautja Prime or Kalisk.

Behind The Scenes

Predator: Badlands was filmed primarily in New Zealand, which offered the production a wide range of rugged landscapes to portray the deadly terrain of Kalisk. The diverse environments—ranging from rocky mountains to dense forests and vast deserts—made the country an ideal stand-in for the alien world. Filming began in July 2024 and wrapped in early 2025. The film was directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously revived the franchise with Prey (2022), and worked closely with screenwriter Patrick Aison. The project operated under the codename “Backpack” during production, a name that appeared on a custom Predator-themed sword gifted to the director by Weta Workshop.

Conclusion

Kalisk is the planet where most of the Predator: Badlands takes place, while some scenes from the beginning are set on Yautja Prime. The planet's dangerous environment, strange wildlife, and connection to both Yautja culture and Weyland-Yutani make it an important location in the Predator universe. The Predators return to the jungle, where they started in the first movie.

Tag Categories: Yautja Society