Sci-fi villain Predator returns in action-thriller prequel Prey
LONDON 鈥听 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 Mr. Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison, the movie is the latest installment in the Predator franchise which began with John McTiernan鈥檚 1987 movie of the same name starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
鈥淭echnically speaking, it鈥檚 a prequel, though I鈥檓 quick to say this is not an origin story,鈥 Trachtenberg told Reuters at the film鈥檚 London premiere.
鈥淚鈥檓 a huge Predator fan and I was obsessed with making a movie that was primarily told through action. But I didn鈥檛 want it to just be a visceral experience. I want it to be an emotional one as well,鈥 the 41-year-old filmmaker said.
Mr. Trachtenberg set the movie in the Comanche Nation and it features a cast comprised almost entirely of Native and First Nations actors.
鈥淚 thought, wouldn鈥檛 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,鈥 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.
鈥淔or the franchise, being 35-years old and having a Native female lead, I mean, the new Arnold, take a look at her. It鈥檚 amazing!鈥 the film鈥檚 producer Jhane Myers, an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a giant vote of confidence and it is historic,鈥 Ms. Midthunder, 25, who is Assiniboine and Sioux, said of the role.
Prey starts streaming on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ in the United Kingdom on Aug. 5. 鈥斕Reuters
