What The Predator Movies Look Like Without Special Effects

One of the most renowned figures in the realm of big screen science fiction is the Predator character. The initial installment in the extensive “Predator” series, released in 1987, boasts a unique twist in its plotline – initially portrayed as an action-packed ensemble film, it transforms into a sci-fi slasher/horror movie during its second half. Additionally, this movie played a significant role in establishing Arnold Schwarzenegger as a box office sensation, following his performances in “Conan the Barbarian” (1982) and “The Terminator” (1984).

Despite being a challenging production, the film was still incredibly successful, giving rise to numerous comic book collaborations, toy lines, video games, and sequels. The Predator saga encompasses various installments such as “Predator 2” from 1990, set in Los Angeles (a city jungle this time), starring Danny Glover, a cast member from “Lethal Weapon”; “Predators” from 2010, featuring Adrian Brody as a U.S. Special Forces veteran stranded on an alien planet; “The Predator” in 2018, a problematic sequel penned and directed by Shane Black who made a brief appearance in the original movie; and “Prey,” released in 2022, which is set in 1719 and follows Naru (Amber Midthunder), an Indigenous warrior and the first female protagonist in the series. There were also two “Alien vs. Predator” films between the second and third entries, but it’s best to avoid discussing those.

In all the “Predator” movies, there was a significant amount of visual effects work, including those released at the beginning of the series. So, what would these films have looked like without the special effects? Keep reading to discover the answer.

A goofy red cloth suit was used for the Predator’s iconic cloaking effect

1987’s “Predator” was produced during an era before CGI became prevalent, a time when advanced visual effects we take for granted today were challenging to execute. When it came to depicting the Predator sneaking through the jungle using his camouflage device, the visual effects team, headed by Joel Hynek, had to think outside the box. Inspiration struck Hynek when he recalled a commercial project they had handled earlier.

He shared with VFX Blog that a commercial for Southern Bell featured someone dressed in a red suit holding a green orb against a blue backdrop. They decided to set a scene in the jungle since it’s green and the sky is blue. So, they put a man in a red suit and filmed him running around in the jungle. Essentially, they were working with a “reverse blue screen” effect, making the subject (the man) the screen itself, and the foreground (jungle) became the background.

In these movie scenes, it may seem almost absurd to compare the early and later images of the Predator, but those comparisons have become some of the most memorable moments in the entire film. Given that Hynek’s method was used, it’s clear his approach was completely justified. Interestingly enough, even today, the scenes where the Predator uses its camouflage device remain quite effective, which is why the special effect was considered a significant accomplishment at the time.

The original Predator suit was a nightmare to work with

As a gamer, I’ve always been fascinated by the legendary Predator character, with its unique and instantly recognizable design that was masterfully crafted by Stan Winston, a renowned makeup artist. However, it might surprise you to know that Winston and his team weren’t the original choice for designing this iconic alien hunter. That honor actually goes to Boss Film Studios, who created the initial rubber Predator suit. They, however, cautioned the producers about the design being impractical for outdoor filming, especially in the muddy jungles of Mexico. In a featurette, Steve Johnson, in charge of the first suit build, explained the challenges they faced: “They wanted us to create a character with backward-bent reptilian legs, extended arms… It was almost impossible to achieve given that we were supposed to shoot on real jungle terrains,” he said. “I told them it wouldn’t work.

In the documentary “If It Bleeds We Can Kill It,” director John McTiernan expressed that the initial Predator costume was problematic for the actor because it was too restrictive and unmovable, making it appear terrible on camera. McTiernan had filmed a few scenes with the insectoid design but requested additional time and funds to improve it. Thankfully, when McTiernan presented the studio heads with the goofy-looking costume, they approved and granted a pause in filming so that the Predator’s alien antagonist could be redesigned from scratch. Eventually, special effects artist Stan Winston and his team stepped in to save the day, transforming the Predator from a cheesy bug puppet into a genuinely terrifying extraterrestrial assassin.

Jean-Claude Van Damme played the original Predator – until he got fired

It’s interesting to note that prior to becoming a renowned action star, Jean-Claude Van Damme donned the role of the original Predator – the one with an insectoid design that was quite laughable. Despite the director and producers having reservations about the initial rubber alien costume, Van Damme may have disliked it even more. The actor is said to have been under the impression that the role would provide him an opportunity to display his martial arts prowess and catapult him to stardom. However, when he arrived on set, he swiftly understood that he was essentially a stuntman in disguise, as the suit impeded him from showcasing his face or his agility.

In the movie production, Jean-Claude Van Damme attempted to blend his expertise in kickboxing into his role. However, this apparently irritated producer Joel Silver. As VFX supervisor Joel Hynek recalled on VFX Blog, a conflict eventually escalated when Silver confronted Van Damme. “I’ll never forget being in Joel Silver’s trailer and he wanted to have a talk with Van Damme,” Hynek said. So, Van Damme entered the trailer, and Silver expressed his frustration: “Look, you can’t keep doing that kick. The Predator is not a kickboxer.” To which Van Damme responded, “I must do it.” Silver then said, “Well, forget it then. You’re out of here. Goodbye.

It seems this turn of events worked out favorably. The team had time to reorganize themselves, and a more suitable Predator costume was created in the process. Additionally, it allowed the producers to find an actor eager to embrace the given role. Eventually, Van Damjee found success in “Street Fighter” (1994) and established himself as an action movie icon. Therefore, everything ended up working out splendidly.

Gentle giant Kevin Peter Hall replaced Jean-Claude Van Damme as the Predator

Following the creation of an advanced and refined Predator costume, the subsequent phase was selecting an actor for the role. Eventually, 7’4″ actor Kevin Peter Hall was chosen. His immense height and physical strength made him stand tall even next to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is already quite large. This made their final showdown in the movie, particularly convincing compared to if Jean-Claude Van Damme had been cast as the Predator.

The cast and team praised Hall extensively, describing him as a “warmly compassionate, intelligent, eloquent, towering figure” during an insider video. Despite his massive presence, Hall was a sincere actor who carefully considered the Predator’s inner character, whether in or out of the suit, as he explained: “You focus on the internal aspects of the character, much like with any other role, while wearing or without the suit.

In the 1990s sequel “Predator 2,” Danny Glover reprised his role as a different Predator and also appeared outside of the costume, piloting the helicopter that picks up Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch at the end of the original film. This was a thoughtful addition, given his significant impact on the movie; it was fitting to include his real face, however briefly.

Digital matte paintings were used to create alien landscapes in Predators

Matte paintings have been a part of filmmaking for quite some time. They can be traced back to the silent movie era, with the first matte painting appearing as early as 1907 in “Missions of California.” In essence, matte paintings are images used to expand or modify the background of a scene. During the early years of cinema, these paintings were either large pieces of artwork on set or smaller ones painted on glass sheets that were later combined with previously recorded footage during editing (or less frequently, a glass pane was carefully positioned in front of the camera and filmed).

In this modern era, I find myself amazed by the prevalence of digital matte paintings. The flexibility they offer is truly remarkable – whether it’s the camera moving smoothly or the background elements shifting dynamically. Plus, rotoscoping actors and other scene components has become a breeze compared to the labor-intensive and costly methods of yesteryears. It’s no wonder then that the digital matte painting used in “Predators” (2010) was chosen for its seamless integration into the film.

In the movie, I found myself as a disgraced mercenary named Royce, stranded on a vibrant, forested alien planet alongside an eclectic group of deadly assassins. We were pursued by terrifying Predators in this new galaxy, and to emphasize its distinctiveness, the filmmakers employed digital matte paintings to depict a strange, otherworldly horizon. This stunning backdrop was crafted by the VFX studio Hybride, who had already proven their expertise with sci-fi/horror amalgamations, having previously worked on Guillermo del Toro’s “Mimic.

CGI Hell-Hounds were added to location plates in Predators

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how the groundbreaking CGI had advanced by the time “Predators” graced our cinemas in 2010. Yet, surprisingly, the iconic Predator beings were still crafted in reality, with suits meticulously designed by KNB EFX Group, Inc. However, this film isn’t just about these titular creatures; it’s also a battle of wits against other alien beasts our protagonists must dodge. One such creature is the formidable Hell-Hound, essentially the Predators’ hunting dogs. They use these beasts to track, locate, and weaken their prey. The mere sight of these Hell-Hounds is enough to send chills down one’s spine. So, I’m curious: How did the filmmakers breathe life into these terrifying Predator companions?

In essence, the task of incorporating CGI Hell-Hounds into the film was delegated to the VFX studio, Hybride. To start, real-life footage of an empty plate (a location shot with only the scenery) was captured by the filmmakers. Later, this footage was transformed into a scene filled with computer-generated Hell-Hounds. Although straightforward in theory, the process involves numerous steps. For example, as revealed in Hybride’s visual effect breakdown, the artists not only added digital shadows to give the impression of realism but also created digital foliage, making it seem as if the Hell-Hounds were interacting with their surroundings instead of being superimposed onto them.

The Preda-Dogs in The Predator were actually stuntmen in mo-cap suits

In 2010, the movie “Predators” had a decent run both critically and commercially, but it wasn’t until nearly a decade later that another Predator sequel was given the go-ahead. Towards the end of that decade, Shane Black, who played radio operator Rick Hawkins in the 1987 “Predator” and later turned to writing and directing, decided to give the franchise a try. This led to the release of “The Predator” in 2018, a film that had a perplexing ending and encountered many issues during its production.

In their reimagining, Black and Dekker retained the aggressive extraterrestrial hounds that chase and hunt our heroes on Earth instead of an alien planet. However, the hounds in “The Predator” are from a distinct species, sharing more physical characteristics with the Predators themselves. Unlike the previous versions, which were both digital creations, the filmmakers approached the production of these canines differently in “The Predator.

Because advancements in motion capture technology over an eight-year period allowed for more realistic representations, stunt performers in form-fitting motion-capture suits were employed to emulate the alien hunting dog’s movements in “The Predator.” This technique likely facilitated the actors’ responses as well. In a sense, this method echoed the original Predator actor who wore a tight-fitting red suit, marking a significant milestone for the franchise.

The Predator in Prey was created using a blend of practical and CGI effects

Similar to previous “Predator” movies, the alien hunter in “Prey” (2022) is portrayed by an individual wearing a rubber suit. However, unlike its predecessors from the 1980s, advanced technology has enabled computer animation to seamlessly blend and elevate the flexibility of the costume. As a result, while the animatronic Predator head worn by actor Dane DiLiegro can occasionally be seen on-screen, it mainly serves as a reference for lighting and movement.

Chris Uyede, visual effects supervisor for “Prey” at MPC, shared that they had a fantastic foundation to work with. They moved seamlessly from shots of the animatronic suit to full CG Predator, only replacing the faces in certain shots. The quality of the animatronic suit was exceptional, allowing them to begin with photography and determine where improvements were needed.

In another instance demonstrated in MPC’s VFX breakdown video, DiLiegro wore a complete rubber Predator costume with both arms intact. He enacted a scene where one of his arms was brutally severed. The VFX team cleverly generated a CGI model to overlay the actor’s performance, simulating the arm being amputated for the movie’s concluding shot. Remarkably, this digital transition appears smooth and uninterrupted. Noteworthy differences exist between the Predator in “Prey” and its appearances in other films.

The animal attacks in Prey were shot in front of giant blue screens

In the original “Predator” movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character Dutch and his team of commandos initially confront and eliminate a terrorist group hiding in the jungle, not the Predator. This pattern is also seen in “Predator 2,” where Danny Glover’s character, Lieutenant Mike Harrigan, engages in urban combat against gang members before encountering the Predator. This suggests that in both films, the protagonists first engage in battles with other threats before facing the main antagonist, the Predator, alone in the final showdown.

In this movie, Amber Midthunder’s character Naru struggles but ultimately succeeds in defeating a Predator after multiple unsuccessful attempts at capturing various animals. For instance, there’s a scene where a computer-generated bear is shown charging towards Naru, only to be impaled by a partially concealed Predator. This scene was likely filmed in a studio using a large blue screen, as the majority of the film was shot on location in Alberta, Canada, specifically on the lands of the Stoney Nakoda Nation. To enhance Midthunder’s performance and immerse her in the scene, the crew added real branches in front of the screen so she could interact with them while evading the giant bear.

The cougar in Prey was played by a stuntman in a mo-cap suit for the tree scene

In “Prey”, Naru encounters a formidable mountain lion, determined to prove her hunting skills. She decides to join her brother Taabe (Dakota Beavers) and another tribe member on a hunt for this feline adversary. Perched high up in a tree, they spot the cougar, only for it to turn aggressive, killing one of the hunters. The cougar then pounces on Naru, who manages to impale it with her spear but falls from the tree and sustains a head injury.

In the two pivotal moments where Naru confronted the cougar and the bear, the digital effects company MPC created both animals entirely using CGI. However, unlike the bear scene where no stand-in was used, a stunt person in a motion capture suit portrayed the cougar during filming, providing the VFX team with a reference for rendering the fierce mountain lion. This technique not only heightened the tension but also made the scene more convincing. The movie turned out to be a massive hit, leading many to wonder if “Prey 2” might be in the works. Here’s what we currently know about it.

2025-04-08 19:32