20th Century Studios has released the official teaser for Prey, a Predator prequel that chronicles a titular Predator's first journey to Earth.
Set 300 years ago in the Comanche Nation, Prey features Legion star Amber Midthunder as a young woman named Naru who is described as a "fierce and highly skilled warrior." When she sets out to protect her people from a dangerous threat, she discovers that the enemy is actually a Predator, whom audiences will remember as the extra-terrestrial species that hunts humans for sport. In order to defeat the Predator and its technically advanced weaponry, Naru must use all of the skills she's learned while being raised among "some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plain."
With a runtime of just 44 seconds, the Prey preview opens with a young woman running out of the woods and into a field. She's eventually grabbed and brought down to the ground by another individual who tells them to remain silent. As they hide in the grass, the second individual aims their bow and arrow at the darkness of the forest, but then three red dots from a laser sight appear on their forehead. What follows is another shot of a young woman, presumably Naru, as she confronts an invisible enemy, with the distinct sound of the Predator present.
Prey is the fifth installment of the Predator franchise and the first to be produced by 20th Century Studios since Disney officially acquired the company (then known as 20th Century Fox) in 2019. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, perhaps best known for helming 10 Cloverfield Lane, Prey was initially conceived as an R-rated project, but producer John Davis has indicated that the film could be edited to earn a PG-13 rating. Although Prey is a prequel to the original Predator films, it is not expected to tie into the first installment of the franchise.
Production on Prey wrapped up in September 2021, but this new teaser from 20th Century Studios marks the first time footage from the Predator prequel has been released to the general public. Because the Predator sequels that followed the original Arnold Schwarzenegger film didn't exactly hit with audiences and critics, fans of the franchise are likely hoping that this refreshing approach to the franchise with Prey is just what the film series needs to remain relevant.
Prey is scheduled to release on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney Plus internationally on August 5, 2022.
Source: 20th Century Studios