Jeff Cutter, cinematographer on the Predator prequel film, has shared a behind-the-scenes image celebrating the end of filming. A sci-fi franchise deeply embedded in the pop-culture landscape, the original Predator movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was released to mixed reviews in 1987, but still fared well enough at the box-office to be ranked as the second highest-grossing film of the year after Beverly Hills Cop 2. In the years that followed, the original film became a cult classic and inspired three direct sequels and two crossover films with the Alien franchise.
Originally thought to be released under the working title of Skull, the new prequel is being helmed by 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Boys director Dan Trachtenberg, based on a script penned by Treadstone and Jack Ryan’s Patrick Aison. Earlier this year, producers John Davis and John Fox revealed that the film will portray the Predator’s first-ever journey to Earth, and reportedly stars Roswell, New Mexico’s Amber Midthunder as Kee, a "Comanche woman who goes against gender norms and traditions to become a warrior.” This film also marks the first installment of the Predator franchise to be produced by Disney, since its acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019.
Recently, Cutter took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes shot celebrating the end of filming. In the caption, the cinematographer thanked Trachtenberg for “inviting me along on this epic journey and entrusting me to help achieve his vision for this film”. While the image does not reveal much at all in the way of potential story details, it certainly comes as welcome news for eager fans. UPDATE: Cutter has removed the image from Instagram; find it reposted by Twitter user Alien vs. Predator Galaxy below:
Over the years, 20th Century Fox, the former owner of the Predator franchise, has made a number of attempts to expand upon the property with varying degrees of success. While the most recent entry in the franchise, Shane Black’s The Predator, was eagerly anticipated by fans, it was savaged by critics upon release and ultimately failed to resonate with audiences. With any luck, Trachtenberg will find a way to break the trend with Skulls and conjure a Predator film worthy of its place alongside Schwarzenegger’s original sci-fi classic.
Perhaps the decision to go backwards chronologically, to a time long before Schwarzenegger ever told people to “get to da choppa,” may work in Trachtenberg’s favor and offer audiences something no other sequel has managed to deliver so far. Certainly, the idea of a Predator film set in a pre-industrial era, where the movie’s protagonist has to face off against the extra-terrestrial hunter using only their wits and whatever basic weaponry is available to them, sounds like an exciting premise. However, with filming only just now wrapping up, there is sure to be a lot of post-production work needing to be done before audiences finally get to see the Predator prequel for themselves.
Source: Jeff Cutter/Instagram