Don’t callPreya prequel; it’s been here for years. At least, according toPreydirectorDan Trachtenbergwho has now explained in an interview withSFX Magazinewhy the upcomingPredatorprequel is anything but. WhilePreyhas been described as a prequel by many different media outlets (including ourselves), the filmmaker has now clarified why this is not the case. Not exactly, anyway.
“In my mind, this is not a prequel movie. This isn’t, ‘Let’s tell the origin of the Predator.’ This is really something that’s set prior to the original Predator movie, and the Predator creature in this one, this is its first time travelling to Earth.”
So, whilePreywill take place long before the firstPredatormovie, it is not a prequel to that franchise outing as such. Instead, it sounds like it’s best to watchPreyas simply a separate story that just so happens to be set many years before we first met the alien warrior race known as the Predators.
The word “prequel” conjures images ofPreydetailing the origins of the Predator, but Dan Trachtenberg reveals that this will not be the case.ThoughPreywill explore the experience of the first member of the extra-terrestrial hunters to visit Earth, do not necessarily expect to come away fromPreywith a better understanding of the backstory of the Predators as a species. Instead, it sounds like we should just sit back and enjoy our time with this newest Predator as he discovers Earth, and the United States, for the first time. No doubt the historical parallels will be clear…
Prey Drops the Predator in the Comanche Nation in 1719
From 20th Century Studios,Preyis the next outing in the long-runningPredatorfranchiseand the first to fall under the Disney umbrella. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (The Boys, 10 Cloverfield Lane),Preyis set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, and tells the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.
Trachtenberg has recently stated that he hopes to return for morePredatoroutingsfollowing the release ofPreysaying, “There are a lot of exciting ideas for what could be next for the franchise. The things that most excite me are the boldest swings and I think there’s scope to do other things that haven’t been done before.”
Written by Patrick Aison (Jack Ryan, Treadstone),Preystars Amber Midthunder (Legion) as Naru, the young Comanche warrior who must fight to protect her tribe against a Predator. Starring alongside Midthunder are Dakota Beavers, Stormee Kipp, Michelle Thrush, Julian Black Antelope, and Dane DiLiegro as the Predator.
Preyis scheduled to be released by 20th Century Studios as aHuluoriginal film on July 05, 2025.
