Summary
Prey director Dan Trachtenberg reveals that the original Predator movie was a major influence on his critically acclaimed prequel.
Trachtenberg's film has received praise for its straightforwardness and plot centered around characters, establishing itself as the most triumphant addition to the Predator series since the first movie released in 1987.
As opposed to other follow-ups, Prey pays homage to the original by revisiting the uncomplicated relationship between predator and prey, revitalizing enthusiasm for the franchise and saving it from its average state.
Prey director Dan Trachtenberg credits the original Predator movie as a major influence on his critically acclaimed prequel. Taking place in the early 18th century in the Northern Great Plains, Prey follows Amber Midthunder's character, Comanche warrior Naru, as she confronts a Predator long before Arnold Schwarzenegger's Major Dutch Schaefer does so in the jungles of Central America. Known for its straightforwardness and character-focused story, Trachtenberg's film is widely regarded as the most successful continuation of the Predator franchise since the original 1987 movie. In an interview with The Wrap, Trachtenberg shared that the inspiration for his own Predator movie came from learning about the plot of the original film as a child. Although he was too young to watch it when it initially came out, older children described the scene where Sonny Landham's Native American tracker, Billy Sole, battles the Predator. Read Trachtenberg's comments below:
I was unable to watch the movie "Predator" upon its initial release due to its R-rating. At the time, I was in third grade and happened to be in the backseat of a carpool heading to a karate tournament. The sixth graders, who had already seen "Predator", eagerly recounted the entire film to me during our journey. One scene they specifically mentioned involved Billy, a Native American tracker, stopping on a bridge above a waterfall, cutting himself, and engaging in combat with the Predator.
Interestingly, that particular scene was nowhere to be found in the actual movie. In reality, Billy only wounds himself and lets out a scream off-screen, leaving it at that. However, my young mind conjured up a vivid imagination of how that scene could have played out. This marked the initial spark that eventually led to the creation of "Prey."
How Prey Honors The Original Predator Movie Better Than Any Other Sequel
1987’s Predator received mixed reviews upon its release and was criticized by some for prioritizing special effects over suspense. However, it has since gained a strong following and has spawned several sequels, books, comics, and video games. Despite the original movie's popularity, subsequent attempts to expand on Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic outing have often failed to meet expectations. However, Trachtenberg's approach to the prequel, titled Prey, goes against the trend of trying to outdo previous entries by featuring larger and more formidable threats. Instead, it focuses on returning to the simple yet impactful concept of the hunter-and-prey dynamic found in the original film.
Trachtenberg's Prey successfully revived a tired and stagnant Predator franchise, capturing audience interest in a way that previous sequels had failed to do. The clever and expert storytelling by Trachtenberg deserves recognition for saving the sci-fi franchise from being ordinary. Hopefully, the success of Prey will lead to the application of Trachtenberg's effective approach in future films, including the potential Prey 2.
