Sci-fi villain ‘Predator’ returns in action-thriller prequel ‘Prey’
LONDON: Thirty-five years after the extraterrestrial monster movie “Predator” made its first outing, the creature is back in action in the upcoming film “Prey”.
Directed by “10 Cloverfield Lane” filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg, “Prey” is set in 1719 and sees “Predator” landing in the Northern Great Plains, ready to hunt.
Based on an original idea by Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison, the movie is the latest instalment in the “Predator” franchise which began with John Mctiernan’s 1987 movie of the same name starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Technically speaking, it’s a prequel, though I’m quick to say this is not an origin story,” Trachtenberg told Reuters at the film’s London premiere.
“I’m a huge ‘Predator’ fan and I was obsessed with making a movie that was primarily told through action. But I didn’t want it to just be a visceral experience. I want it to be an emotional one as well,” the 41-year-old filmmaker said.
Trachtenberg set the movie in the Comanche Nation and it features a cast comprised almost entirely of Native and First Nations actors.
“I thought, wouldn’t it be great to have Native Americans and Comanche specifically, who are so often relegated to playing the sidekick or the villain and never the hero, be the leads of a giant franchise,” he said.
Amber Midthunder stars as the lead character “Naru”, a fierce young woman who is determined to prove herself a worthy warrior. While out hunting she comes across “Predator” and must use her wits and hunting skills to defeat the alien beast before it reaches her camp.
“For the franchise, being 35-years old and having a Native female lead, I mean, the new Arnold, take a look at her. It’s amazing!” the film’s producer Jhane Myers, an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, said.
“It’s a giant vote of confidence and it is historic,” Midthunder, 25, who is Assiniboine and Sioux, said of the role.
The film began development during the production of the prior Predator film, titled “The Predator” (2018), when producer John Davis was approached by Dan Trachtenberg and screenwriter Patrick Aison, with a concept they had been conceptualizing since 2016.
Former 20th Century Studios Production president Emma Watts fast tracked the development of the film prior to her resignation in January 2020. It was conceived as an R-rated film.
In December 2019, the film was initially under wraps, going by the name of Skulls. The film reportedly was to “follow a Comanche woman who goes against gender norms and traditions to become a warrior”. It was to be directed by Trachtenberg and written by Aison.
In November 2020, Skulls was revealed to be a codename for a fifth installment in the Predator franchise, with the same creative team working on the film. It was not expected to correlate to the events of the prior installment. Upon the announcement, Trachtenberg indicated that the original intention was to market the film with no reference to the Predators, something no longer possible with the confirmation of the film’s place in the franchise.
Trachtenberg explained his goal for the film was to get back to the roots of the franchise: “the ingenuity of a human being who won’t give up, who’s able to observe and interpret, basically being able to beat a stronger, more powerful, well-armed force.”
The film was shot by cinematographer Jeff Cutter. Filming was expected to occur in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 2021. In July 2021, Davis revealed that the film was officially three quarters of the way finished. In September, filming wrapped and the castings of Dakota Beavers and Dane Diliegro were confirmed.
“Prey” premiered at the San Diego Comiccon on July 21. It is scheduled to be released by 20th Century Studios as a Hulu original film on August 5, 2022.