Why does Prey’s new Predator look even stranger than before

One of the coolest things about Prey, the latest film in the Predator series, is how it finally delivers on one of the few plot stories we have about the alien hunter race. The series comes straight to Hulu on August 5, revealing that they’ve been tracking humans for centuries. Set in 1719, Prey shows what could be the first time the Predator arrived on Earth, and with a much earlier timeframe, this Predator looks very different from any Predator we’ve seen before.

Fit for 1987 Carnivores and its many sequels and spinoffs, Prey It took a while to catch a glimpse of this creature. But as it happens, the Predator’s new design stands out. Sleek and unarmed, except for a skull mask in homage to the icon, the alien is imbued with physical endurance and virtuosity by actor Dane DiLiegro. It’s thrilling to watch and notice.

“It’s fun to tell a story set 300 years in the past, but it’s tough to develop a being that’s both older and much more advanced,” director Dan Trachtenberg told Polygon. “I wanted it to feel more like an alien creature than ever, more aggressive, more aggressive, more primitive and less armored. So all necessary technological advancements must be through its arsenal, through its weapons. “

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Finally, the new Predator showcases a wide range of weapons throughout the film, much of which will be familiar to fans as it runs on vintage gear used in previous installments. There are also a few new surprises. Working with renowned visual effects studioADI, Trachtenberg and crew developed the new creature’s interface and equipment in hopes of designing a familiar yet “really creepy” Predator.

“We wanted to change it more than it’s ever been changed before so it could be a new spectacle, a new thrill, even for die-hard fans of the franchise. ,” Trachtenberg said. “I think we have struck the right balance. And then we had an incredible team of visual effects artists who helped enhance the suit, so that in the key moments it always felt like something was alive. So it never feels constrained by cinematic physics, you know it can always feel like an alien.”

Prey will be available to stream on Friday, August 5 on Hulu.