TV - Movies
Prey Director Says
The Predator's
New Look Had A
Major Impact
On The Film
By JOE CAPRARO
"Prey" has seemingly revived the "Predator" franchise after the five largely forgettable films that have come since the original 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger classic. Recently, its director Dan Trachtenberg explained how he gave the titular creature a very specific update to reflect the new timeline and contribute to the undeniable primal energy that runs throughout the film.
Instead of a metallic helmet, the Predator wears a mask made from the partial skull of one of its kills. “It's a little bit stripped down,” said Trachtenberg, “but still embraces the code that we know a Predator to hunt by – it's a trophy hunter. We just thought, 'Wouldn't be cool if it wears its trophy on its face rather than just on its hip?'"
It's a fantastic idea and perfectly executed, with the mask exposing enough of the Predator's face to allow some expressions to be seen clearly. This choice lends a depth to the monster that earlier audiences could only see when it was unmasked, and it fits the 18th century setting a lot more than the shiny metal helmet.