Prey star Amber Midthunder details the intense training process involved in making a Predator film. The science-fiction thriller directed by Dan Trachtenberg serves as a prequel to the Predator franchise and centers on a skilled Comanche warrior, Naru, who attempts to protect her tribe from the menacing, highly evolved alien species that hunts humans for sport. Prey premiered on Hulu on August 5, 2022 and generated positive reactions from both fans and critics, who praised the film's action and effects, in addition to Midthunder's performance. The movie also stars Dakota Beavers, Michelle Thrush, Stormee Kipp, Julian Black Antelope, and Dane DiLiegro.
The Predator series is not only known for its titular creature, but for its violent action sequences as well. In previous installments, it was revealed how filming could be incredibly taxing on actors' bodies, with some having to endure varying elements or wake up early in order to properly prepare for a day of shooting. Trachtenberg's respect for the franchise led the director to take inspiration from prior films when it came to Prey's action sequences, and fans have taken notice. He even identified a scene that he unfortunately had to cut from the Predator prequel, which focused on his desire to emphasize physicality and have a fight appear more established by way of a treetop chase.
Now, in a recent interview with InStyle, Midthunder discusses the intense training process she went through for Prey. She states how challenging it was and recalls reading the script for the first time and seeing close to 40 pages of action in a row. Like others in the franchise, she identifies the climate and locations as key challenges and talks about a four-week long training camp she was part of before the start of shooting. Read Midthunder's full quote regarding her training below:
Oh my god, it was so hard. I read the script, and I remember at one point reading like 40 straight pages of action — and I still somehow did not understand how much action we would be shooting. It was every single day. We were in the woods somewhere, running up a hill. At one point, it was 90 degrees, full-buckskin outfit. I'm in a river swimming in literally arctic glacial runoff water. There was no point in shooting this film that was coasting. There was no day that I went to work like, "Ah, today is just chill." We did a four-week training camp before we started shooting in Calgary altogether as a team. We worked with tomahawks, spears, and archery — and did a lot of team-building stuff. We created a sign language for the film because different tribes had different ways of speaking non-verbally. The Comanche did have sign language, so we incorporated some of their actual sign language into ours. Dan ended up putting it in the movie.
While the action of other Predator movies is implemented in the prequel, Trachtenberg did talk about what he felt others might have done wrong, and how he wanted to fix it. Before the new film hit streaming, he said that he wanted Prey's Predator to look more animalistic, contrasting with what he felt too often looked like a man in a suit. He also valued representation and highlighted Indigenous communities, something that Midthunder discusses in her interview. She says that it was the most responsibility she has had in her job, but that it was big for her to "have the opportunity to be the person who represents this role and everything that it means."
It is always interesting to understand the training process that goes into starring in a project like Prey. The visceral action and overall unique nature of this installment should lead to more success and fan support, and one has to wonder how it would've performed at the box-office if given a theatrical release. For now, though, those who enjoy the Predator series can be sure to check out Midthunder and Prey while the film is available on Hulu.
Source: InStyle