As a lifelong fan of the Predator franchise and a connoisseur of action-packed films, I must say that Prey has left an indelible mark on my cinematic heart. Having grown up watching Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic portrayal of Dutch in the original 1987 film, I never thought that a prequel could capture the essence of the Predator while feeling fresh and exciting. But Prey did just that, and it did so with style, substance, and a powerful leading performance by Amber Midthunder as Naru.
In 2022, the highly anticipated prequel to the classic Predator film, titled Prey, made its exclusive debut on Hulu. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a captivating tale that many didn’t realize they were yearning for. Set in a fresh environment and boasting entirely new characters, Prey skillfully rekindled the essence of the 1987 Predator movie while maintaining a sense of novelty – something later sequels couldn’t seem to achieve. Since its original direct-to-digital premiere, it has been available exclusively on Hulu and Disney+. However, starting January 1st, viewers can enjoy Prey for free on the ad-supported platform Tubi.
1719 serves as the backdrop for the thrilling movie “Prey”, which stars Amber Midthunder as Naru, a Comanche woman. An unusual shipwreck occurs nearby, leading Naru to confront an alien predator and French fur traders in a bid to safeguard her tribe and territory. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, “Prey” offers breathtaking visuals and some of the most intense action sequences from the Predator franchise, while also delivering a deeply moving narrative revolving around Naru. Midthunder’s performance is outstanding. The film also offers a fresh perspective on the alien creature, presenting a more primitive version compared to what audiences have come to expect since the initial installment. The result is an extraordinary adventure that positions “Prey” among the finest Predator films and even contends for the number one spot in the series.
One point of frustration with the movie “Prey” doesn’t stem from the film itself, but rather its distribution. Given its limited scope and narrative, it was initially slated for streaming release only, skipping a theatrical premiere. Interestingly, the same fate was once predicted for “Alien: Romulus“, which was originally intended for Hulu before receiving worldwide theatrical screenings to great acclaim earlier this year. Despite its smaller-scale story and budget ($65 million), “Prey” could have been a captivating cinematic experience if given a theatrical run.
‘Prey’ Is the Start of a New ‘Predator’ Franchise
As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’ve been thrilled by the success of “Prey”. Ever since, there’s been a buzz around future “Predator” projects, and while a “Prey 2” is still up in the air, director Dan Trachtenberg is keeping things interesting within this franchise. He’s planning to unleash a futuristic “Predator” film titled “Badlands”. What sets this movie apart is that it flips the script – the primary predator will no longer be the antagonist but the protagonist instead. Steve Asbell, President of 20th Century Studios, has hinted at the future of “Predator” films and mentioned that Trachtenberg has been working on two secret projects scheduled for release next year.
“I’ll tell you very simply. After Prey became 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-action Predator film with Elle Fanning that just wrapped in New Zealand. That’ll be out theatrically sometime next year.”
In 2025, we can anticipate the second film scheduled for release, primarily on streaming platforms, to be an animated anthology movie immersed in the universe of “Predator”. Speculations suggest that it may include a segment titled “Alien vs Predator“, timed perfectly as both franchises experience a resurgence in popular culture with consecutive films. Recently, there have been discussions about a new live-action “AvP” film, but no definitive plans have been announced yet. Instead, prepare for two Predator projects to debut next year, with possibly more to follow if audiences respond positively at the cinema.
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2024-12-22 22:07