This summer marks 35 years of the Predator franchise, with the original action-horror classic arriving in theaters on June 12, 1987. John McTiernan’s movie was a hit at the box office, launching a massive multimedia franchise and introducing a brand new monster movie icon. How are we going to be celebrating the big 35th anniversary of Predator, you ask?
Not that the franchise ever went anywhere, but we’re in store for a Big Predator Summer in the coming months, and the 35th anniversary celebration begins this coming July!
Here’s a taste of what’s coming soon for Predator‘s 35th…
The original plan was for Marvel to follow-up their Alien comic book series with a Predator series last year, but those plans were put on hold due to a legal battle over the franchise rights. But the coast is now clear, and Marvel’s Predator is coming this summer!
The series from Ed Brisson and Kev Walker is set in the continuity of the film franchise, and we recently learned that Marvel’s Predator #1 will launch on comic shelves on July 6.
“The story kicks off when a young girl sees her family slaughtered by a Predator. Years later, though her ship is barely holding together and food is running short, Theta won’t stop stalking the spaceways until the Yautja monster who killed her family is dead…or she is.”
Marvel’s Predator comic book series promises to “deliver all the explosive action and relentless horror that fans have come to expect from this pop culture icon.”
As part of the promotional campaign for the Predator’s arrival in the world of Marvel Comics, several *other* Marvel Comics are getting tie-in variant covers featuring the Predator!
Marvel Comics including Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers Forever, Daredevil, Captain America, Miles Morales, and Hulk are each getting awesome “vs Predator” variant covers.
The Predator mashup fun begins on July 6, the same day the new series releases.
Head over to Geek Tyrant to learn more, including dates for each issue.
Of course, the biggest happening in the world of Predator this summer is brand new prequel movie Prey, which 20th Century Studios is bringing exclusively to Hulu on August 5, 2022!
From 20th Century Studios, the return of the Predator franchise is directed by Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane), and it’s positioned as a prequel to the original that will tell the tale of the Predator’s first journey to our planet. Amber Midthunder (“Legion”) stars as a Comanche woman who goes against gender norms and traditions to become a warrior.
Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, Prey is the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.
Prey is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, written by Patrick Aison (“Jack Ryan,” “Treadstone”), and produced by John Davis (“Jungle Cruise,” “The Predator”) and Jhane Myers (“Monsters of God”), with Lawrence Gordon (“Watchmen”), Marty Ewing (“It: Chapter Two”), James E. Thomas, John C. Thomas and Marc Toberoff (“Fantasy Island”) serving as executive producers.
The filmmakers were committed to creating a film that provides an accurate portrayal of the Comanche and brings a level of authenticity that rings true to its Indigenous peoples. Myers, an acclaimed filmmaker, Sundance Fellow and member of the Comanche nation herself, is known for her attention and dedication to films surrounding the Comanche and Blackfeet nations and her passion for honoring the legacies of the Native communities. As a result, the film features a cast comprised almost entirely of Native and First Nation’s talent, including Amber Midthunder (“The Ice Road,” “Roswell, New Mexico”), newcomer Dakota Beavers, Stormee Kipp (“Sooyii”), Michelle Thrush (“The Journey Home”), Julian Black Antelope (“Tribal”).
Stay tuned for more updates on all things Predator as we learn them!