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This year, the Predator series is making a significant comeback with two fresh installments in the pipeline, directed by Dan Trachtenberg. Following his successful reboot of Predator through 2022’s Prey, Trachtenberg is now set to release not one but two new films: “Predator: Badlands,” due in theaters this fall, and the animated movie “Predator: Killer of Killers,” available on Hulu at present.
As production on “Badlands” commenced, it was still a clandestine endeavor known as “Killer of Killers“. The unveiling of this project happened merely a few months back. An anthology film featuring animation, “Killer of Killers” weaves three distinct narratives across three varying timeframes, each focusing on Predators targeting figures such as Vikings, ninjas, and World War II aviators. Yet, the hidden nature of this movie’s creation hints at even more enigmas concealed within it.
In the climax of “Killer of Killers,” an unsung fourth tale emerges, linking the initial three narratives. This hidden story significantly references the series’ history, particularly the title “Prey,” while also hinting at thrilling developments for the franchise’s upcoming installments.
To the Victor Goes More Fighting
In the movie “Killer of Killers”, each tale concludes with a lone victor emerging from a larger band of characters who manage to vanquish their respective Predator tormentors. This includes the Viking warrior Ursa (portrayed by Lindsay LaVanchy) in 841 A.D., the ninja Kenji (played by Louis Ozawa) in 1629, and US World War II pilot Torres (acted by Rick Gonzalez) in 1941.
In the intriguing narrative woven by Torres’ stories, fleeting moments hint at a shared universe, with characters occupying the same space and donning peculiar mechanical neckpieces. This subtle setup skillfully paves the way for the jaw-dropping twist at the end of his tale. Following his victorious standoff against a Predator, I found myself back in the US, late one night within my father’s garage, only to witness a Predator vessel soaring above me before being whisked away into the vastness of space by these formidable hunters.
At some point later, he wakes up from a prolonged sleep inside a metallic preservation chamber. To his surprise, he discovers that he’s been sharing this space with Ursa and Kenji. This revelation implies that the Predators have returned to claim those who had previously defeated one of their kind. They apparently keep these individuals in stasis to prevent aging until the Predators are ready to reactivate them.
In an open battlefield, a translation gadget directs a group of three towards a lethal contest. The victor will then confront the dominant-looking commander of the Predators (although it’s unclear if he’s their supreme leader, but he undoubtedly holds authority over those we observe on this planet).
Despite the strong instinct among them to fight each other, akin to what the Predators prompt, the three humans eventually collaborate to attempt an escape. However, as they run away from the Predator leader, he severed Kenji’s arm. Managing to board a vessel, Torres successfully navigated its flight. Unfortunately, a massive harpoon fired by the Predators interrupted their departure, preventing them from leaving the planet.
With the harpoon stuck within the ship and unable to extract it, Ursa jumps back down to the ground, simultaneously disarming the weapon that had fired the harpoon and freeing the ship in the process. The Predators were closing in on her, but she managed to evade them. Torres and Kenji succeeded in escaping the planet moments later, yet their departure was met with a roar from the Predator leader, signaling they were now targets for a hunt. A swarm of Predator ships took off in hot pursuit of the two humans who had eluded them.
And so ends Predator: Killer of Killers, as the film’s title appears. EXCEPT
The Return of the War Chief Naru in Predator: Killer of Killers
In the extended version of “Predator: Hunters of the Hunted,” following the opening title sequence, an extra scene unfolds. We discover that the Predators did not kill Ursa but instead placed her in a suspended animation state. They move the pod she’s lying in past what soon becomes apparent are hundreds, if not thousands, of similar pods stacked vertically. Each appears to have someone inside them. From a distance, we see the glass covers on these pods, but it’s evident that not all of these chambers contain humans. Some will house alien beings from various planets that the Predators had hunted previously.
As they guide Ursa’s pod past a line of other pods, our focus shifts to the stationary one at the front. We gradually zoom into it, revealing a human woman through the glass. As we draw nearer and notice the war paint adorning her visage, there can be no doubt – this is Naru from the movie Predator: Killer of Killers. The haunting music from Prey accentuates this realization.
Indeed, the remarkable protagonist from the movie Prey, portrayed by Amber Midthunder, is revealed to be one of the captives on a distant planet. It’s evident that she was abducted due to her past victory over one of the hunters. The final credits of Prey show animated depictions of three Predator ships departing from Naru’s tribe, suggesting that the Killer of Killers title implies an unfair advantage during her second confrontation with this extraterrestrial species. Given that she was vastly outnumbered, it seems likely that her capture was inevitable.
It’s important to mention that we don’t know exactly when this last tale is set, but it’s after Torres was abducted from Earth in the 1940s. However, it could be towards the end of the 1940s or even later. Could it be our current time? Or perhaps it’s set in the future for us, but to Naru, who is from the 1700s, it would all be part of the future.
Badlands May Give Us the Next Step, but Naru’s Coming Back Regardless
With the surprising revelation that “Killer of Killers” shares a significant link with “Prey” at its conclusion, it adds an extra layer of intrigue that director Dan Trachtenberg is set to release another “Predator” film titled “Badlands” in a few months. Notably, this upcoming movie seems to be set in the future. Interestingly, the storyline of “Killer of Killers” now opens up the possibility for many characters from different films to potentially exist simultaneously, contingent upon when the Predators decide to awaken them.
Over the weekend, I attended a special preview of the movie “Killer of Killers,” hosted by Beyond Fest and American Cinematheque. During this event, there was a question about the notable Naru cameo in the film. Director Trachetenberg confirmed it hinted at a particular strategy for an upcoming “Predator” sequel. He elaborated that after the success of “Prey,” he had three exciting ideas in mind. These included “Killer of Killers,” another project called “Badlands,” and yet another intriguing concept.
It’s now apparent that the third “other cool thing” revolves around Naru. Trachtenberg clarified that her brief appearance in Killer of Killers was intended to signal that there are further developments planned for this character, as Badlands is coming up next.
When asked if there could be any obvious links between “Killer of Killers” and “Badlands”, Trachtenberg was secretive about it. However, he pointed out that since the films were made at the same time, some similarities in Predator vehicles and technology are present. He then cheekily remarked, “As for narrative connections, well, who can really say for sure?
Regarding whether Badlands connects directly to the narrative of Killer of Killers, Trachtenberg mentioned that there are certainly unexpected elements in store for viewers, much like how Killer of Killers brings together its three main characters from different time periods in an unforeseen fourth story. In his words, “The Badlands is amazing. It’s like opening up a package you weren’t expecting to find all the treasures inside. Similarly, Badlands isn’t what one might anticipate and it offers a complete, satisfying experience just like this.
The Pistol From Across Time in the Predator Franchise
Another enjoyable surprise in the mix, reminiscent of the Predator series, is the reappearance of a classic weapon – the flintlock pistol previously belonging to Raphael Adolini.
In the finale of “Predator 2”, a centuries-old gun made its debut, handed to Danny Glover’s character Mike Harrigan by a Predator as a token of apparent respect following their battle in which Harrigan had slain the alien hunter stalking 1990s LA. Fast forward to the 1700s-era “Prey”, and when Naru encounters a doomed group of French fur traders, one of them – Raphael Adolini, whose name was inscribed on the side of the gun that Harrigan had used – gives this very same firearm to Naru for her fight against the Predator threatening her tribe.
In a humorous scene, the weapon known as “Killer of Killers” makes its third screen appearance, being offered to the captives by the Predators as a choice for their combat. While Ursa and Kenji accept their weapons with enthusiasm – an axe and sword respectively – Torres is puzzled by the outdated pistol given to him. To him, it’s already old and not the type of firearm he would prefer. Eventually, someone causes Torres to drop the pistol in the arena. The weapon stays behind on the planet with the Predators when Torres and Kenji escape.
In 1719, Naru held onto the pistol, but considering the Predators captured Naru at some point, it’s plausible they obtained the weapon then since she probably had it with her. This suggests the climax of Killer of Killers transpires in or after the 20th century. Notably, by the end of Predator 2, which is set in 1997, Harrigan reclaims the pistol on Earth.
Unless the pistol gets passed on to the Predators again from Harrigan, which seems unlikely given the way things ended in “Predator 2” and the fact that the Predators typically take those who have defeated them in previous encounters, it’s possible that the Predators let Harrigan go at that moment but may have returned for him later. If this is the case, it opens up the possibility for Danny Glover to reprise his role as Harrigan in a future film. And just for fun, it’s worth wondering if the Predators ever came back for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character Dutch as well.
It’s possible we might gain some understanding of the underlying mechanisms in both “Predator: Badlands” and its sequel, as planned by Dan Tratchenberg. No matter what, it’s exciting to learn that he intends to reintroduce Amber Midthunder as Naru in a way that truly honors her character.
I hope you’re able to adapt swiftly to this significant time jump, Naru, as it appears there are many more Predators for you to confront judging by what I see.
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2025-06-06 10:04