Prey, released exclusively on Hulu in 2022, was the perfectPredatorprequel that nobody knew they needed. Taking place in a new setting and featuring all-new characters,Preysuccessful recreated thePredatorformula from the 1987 film while feeling fresh and exciting, something subsequent sequels failed to do. And while it’s been streaming exclusively on Hulu and then Disney+ ever since its original direct-to-digital debut,Preywill be free to watch on the ad-supported platformTubi starting January 1.
Taking place in 1719,Preyfollows a young woman from the Comanche Nation named Naru (Amber Midthunder). When a mysterious ship crash lands nearby, Naru is forced to battle an alien predator and French fur traders in order to protect her people and land. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg,Preyisa visually stunning filmthat features the best hard-hitting action of thePredatorfranchise and by far the most personal story yet, featuring Naru, brilliantly played by Amber Midthunder. The film also features a unique depiction of the alien itself, showcasing a less technologically advanced version than audiences have been used to since the original film. It all combines for an unforgettable journey that putsPreyin the upper echelon ofPredatorfilms, and it has a very good case for the top spot.
One of the more disappointing aspects ofPreyis not really about the film itself. Due to the small scale and storyline, the prequel was released directly for streaming and did not get a theatrical run.Alien: Romuluswas actually destined for the same fate andset to be released on Hulu, before it eventually premiered in theaters across the globe to widespread acclaim earlier this year.Preywould have been an incredible theatrical experience even with its small-stakes story and relatively modest budget ($65 million).
‘Prey’ Is the Start of a New ‘Predator’ Franchise
Due to the success ofPrey, severalPredator-related follow-up projects have been in the works for quite some time. Although aPrey 2remains uncertain, director Dan Trachtenberg is staying in the franchise sandbox and is set to release a futuristicPredatorfilm subtitledBadlands. The upcoming film sees the formula flipped on its head,as the main predator will now serve as the protagonist. President of 20th Century Studios, Steve Asbell,previously talkedabout the near future ofPredatorfilms, and howTrachtenberg made two top-secret projects that are set to release next year.
“I’ll tell you very simply. AfterPreybecame a success, Dan [Trachtenberg] came back and said he didn’t want to do ‘Prey 2.’ And we’re like, ‘What do you want to do?’ And he rattled off a bunch of ideas that were really crazy but really cool. We’ve actually done two of them. Two are coming out next year. One I can’t talk about yet, but the other one is the live-actionPredatorfilm with Elle Fanning that just wrapped in New Zealand. That’ll be out theatrically sometime next year.”
New Alien vs. Predator Movie Gets a Surprising Tease From Studio Exec
The previous attempts to bring the Alien and Predator franchises together did not end well, but could that change in the near future?
The second project that will be released in 2025, presumably on streaming, will bean animated anthology filmfeaturing several stories set in thePredatoruniverse. Among the plots that have been rumored include anAlien vs Predatorsegment, which would arrive just as both franchises return to pop culture relevance with back-to-back films. There have been some talks of a new live-actionAvPfilm in recent months, but nothing is set in stone on that front. Instead, expect two Predator projects to release next year, with more likely on the way audiences embrace them at the movie theaters.
