How Prey Revitalized the Predator Franchise

Tyler

As proven by The Predator, it isn’t easy to make a great movie about everyone’s favorite alien hunter. Add the complications of a global pandemic, and you have the makings of a production nightmare. Yet somehow director Dan Trachtenberg pulled it off. With Prey, he took the long-running franchise in a bold new direction: an 18th-century story centered on a young Comanche woman determined to prove herself as a hunter. Her challenge becomes far greater when she crosses paths with the galaxy’s most formidable predator.

The Origins of Prey

Work on Prey actually began during the production of The Predator in 2017. Trachtenberg, who previously directed 10 Cloverfield Lane, had long been interested in the Predator franchise. He arranged a meeting with producer John Davis to pitch an idea. Trachtenberg also wanted to collaborate with screenwriter Patrick Aison, whom he felt had a strong understanding of science fiction and a talent for historical research.

Together, they pitched a story about a Native American girl trying to prove herself as a hunter when she encounters a Predator. Trachtenberg saw it as a way of giving a character similar to Billy from the original Predator his own feature-length story.

Choosing the Comanche Setting

The filmmakers eventually focused on the Comanche tribe. The production team conducted extensive research into Comanche culture and history and even brought in a Comanche consultant to ensure authenticity. The consultant also helped review the screenplay.

Because the Comanche were known for combat on horseback, the filmmakers wanted that element to be highlighted in the story.

At one point, the team even considered a Hunt for Red October–style language switch, where the dialogue would transition fully into the Comanche language. Ultimately, they chose a subtler approach, incorporating Comanche dialogue and words throughout the film.

Disney’s Acquisition and the Secret Production

While the film was in development, a major industry shift occurred: The Walt Disney Company acquired 20th Century Fox. Many projects were placed on hold, but fortunately Disney recognized the value of the Predator intellectual property and kept the project moving forward.

The film entered development under the code name “Skulls.” The plan was to keep the Predator’s involvement secret so audiences wouldn’t know the film was part of the franchise until marketing began.

Casting During the Pandemic

Casting began in February 2020, just before the pandemic shut everything down. Actors who auditioned had to wait months to learn whether they had landed a role.

In November 2020, Fox finally confirmed that Skulls was actually the fifth Predator movie, effectively ending Trachtenberg’s plan to keep the Predator’s presence a surprise.

Why the Film Was Called Prey

The title Prey was ultimately chosen because it worked as a natural parallel to Predator. Since The Predator could still potentially receive a sequel, Trachtenberg wanted a title that distinguished the film while still connecting it to the franchise.

It also avoided clunky alternatives like “Predator: Comanche.”

Amber Midthunder as Naru

The film centers on Naru, a determined young Comanche woman who wants to become a hunter. Amber Midthunder was cast in the role and delivered a breakout performance.

Although she already had acting experience, Prey truly put her on the map. Her Native heritage made her a natural fit for the character, and she impressed the production team by performing many of her own stunts.

Her ability to convey emotion, sometimes with just a glance, made her an irreplaceable element of the film.

The Supporting Cast and the Predator

The rest of the cast featured many Native American actors. Dakota Beavers played Naru’s brother Taabe and performed nearly all of his horseback riding stunts.

The Predator itself was portrayed by Dane DiLiegro, whose imposing physicality made him perfect for the role. He performed the motion-capture work, stunts, and wore a practical suit that weighed more than 60 pounds.

In the film, Naru calls the creature “Mupits,” a term from Comanche folklore meaning “monster.”

Filming in the Wilderness

Principal photography began in June 2021 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The first scene filmed was Naru practicing with her tomahawk. However, the production team initially used fake tomahawks that bounced off the tree when thrown, creating concern among the crew.

Fortunately, Midthunder quickly proved she could handle the physical demands of the role. One memorable sequence required her to throw herself into a muddy pit. Because the mud was so messy and difficult to reset, the scene had to be filmed in a single take from one angle.

Naru’s Loyal Companion

Another important character is Naru’s dog, Sarii, whose name is actually the Comanche word for “dog.”

Two dogs portrayed the character:

• Coco, who performed most scenes
• Tofu, who handled the running sequences

The deer that Sarii chases was later added digitally.

Practical Effects and CGI

The film blends practical effects with CGI. The lion and bear seen in the film are fully computer-generated. For the lion scene, a crew member even acted on all fours to help the actors react convincingly.

The Predator’s face uses a CGI overlay, but the creature itself relies heavily on practical effects designed by Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff Jr., veterans of the Alien and Predator franchises. The design intentionally echoes the original Predator while making the creature appear more alien and less armored.

A New Take on Predator Technology

Because the story takes place in the 1700s, the Predator’s technology was redesigned.

Highlights include:

• A primitive version of the shoulder cannon using laser-guided bolts
• An expandable wrist shield that doubles as a weapon
• A simplified wrist gauntlet with less advanced technology

Cinematography and Visual Style

Cinematographer Jeff Cutter aimed for a naturalistic look. The film was shot in anamorphic widescreen, using natural lighting whenever possible to capture the lush landscapes around Calgary. The long summer days provided extended “magic hour” lighting that enhanced the film’s visuals.

For the Predator’s thermal vision, the crew actually used thermographic cameras rather than creating the effect entirely in post-production.

The Score

Trachtenberg is a big gamer and had been playing Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla during pre-production. He loved its music and hired composer Sarah Schachner to create the score for Prey.

The result is a powerful soundtrack that blends modern scoring with subtle nods to the original Predator theme composed by Alan Silvestri.

Release and Reception

Prey premiered on Hulu in the United States on August 5, 2022. Because it was released directly to streaming, partly due to the pandemic and Disney’s desire to strengthen Hulu’s lineup, the film had no traditional box office run.

Despite that, it became the most-watched streaming film during its opening week.

Critics and audiences loved it, and the film earned 94% from critics and 74% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

Home Release and the Comanche Dub

The film later received a 4K physical release packed with behind-the-scenes features and commentary.

One standout feature was a full Comanche-language audio track, recorded by the original cast.

The Future of the Franchise

The film’s end credits hint at a potential sequel by showing three Predator ships arriving on Earth.

While a direct sequel featuring Naru hasn’t been confirmed, Trachtenberg is directing two upcoming films:

• Predator: Badlands starring Elle Fanning
• A second secret Predator project

Although neither has been officially confirmed as Prey 2, fans are hopeful Naru will return. After all, Prey proved that this setting, and this hero, deserve more stories.

And that is what happened to Prey.

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