Dan Trachtenberg’s “Prey,”It’s available on Hulu right now and feels like the most recent installment in this franchise since the original “Predator.”
This concept is 300 years ahead of the original film’s events and set in the Comanche Nation. An earlier version of the predator creature comes to earth, looking to face off against the planet’s deadliest hunter and finds a young female warrior named Naru, who has a ton of skill and something to prove. Although the conceit remains the same as the original, it is not the same. “Predator,”Arnold Schwarzenegger led an elite group of commandoes against the extraterrestrial hunters. This brings out the best in people, with its new setting, the type and character of the predator, and the overall atmosphere.
It feels fresh and new because of its cast. Amber Midthunder, originally from “Legion,”Naru is played by Sheri. She is absolutely amazing and creates a convincing protagonist to face one of the most frightening aliens in film history. That also extends to Dakota Beavers, who plays Naru’s brother Taabe, who in a different version of the movie would probably have been the protagonist. Beavers has never appeared in a movie before which makes his performance all the more remarkable.
Beavers was interviewed about the franchise and how casting was done. He also discussed his thoughts about the current slate of films and shows featuring indigenous stories and performers.
How was your relationship to the “Predator”Before signing up, franchise “Prey?”
The extent of my experience was basically the first. I was just like so many other people – that first one was so epic, but I hadn’t never really dived down into the sequels. I was thrilled to get the part and I explored it. And now I’m a wicked fan.
It has an explicit connection to “Predator 2.”
It sure does.
How did they approach me? Did they say it was a? “Predator”When were you asked to audition for the movie?
Yeah. This was my first time acting in a movie. I’d gotten an email from a casting agent and she said, “Hey, I want you to audition for this small part in this movie.” And she didn’t tell me what it was. She didn’t tell me what the part was. I did a self tape, then a Zoom audition. I tried another one, and it was a good feeling. This line was on the sides. “Click, click, click, click, click, click.”And I was like “I wonder if this is a ‘Predator’ movie.”I was invited to audition in L.A., and I realized that I had been chosen. “Wow, this is actually a pretty big deal.”
How did Dan pitch the movie idea to you?
The sides had been auditioned before I was given them. Obviously, I probably wasn’t the first choice, seeing as I’d never been in a movie before, so I just got the sides. And I was like “Well, I’ll do my best. I’m going to do my thing.”Dan noticed something about me that he liked, and he was right. So they took me to L.A., and the rest is history, I suppose.
It’s your first movie, which is daunting enough. But you’re in this giant franchise. Did you ever feel any trepidation? “Whoa, what did I get myself into here?”
Yeah, 100%. I was about to cry when I saw the movie for the first time. “Holy crap. Well, it must be meant to be.”It was a sign that I needed to accept it. I had to let fear go and follow Taabe’s lead and face this danger head-on.
What was it like shooting?
It was cold. It was very cold in the first half. Then it got hot. But we did a month worth of night shoots. And when you’re not wearing very many clothes … I’m shirtless and my butt’s hanging out of the back of these pants. It was freezing. It was cold, but I enjoyed the outdoors. I’d rather be outside than in a studio somewhere.
What percentage of the Predator actually was on-set?
It was always me in a Predator suit. It actually looks great in real life. It’s pretty close to what you’re seeing on screen. They combined the two. They would also do CGI over certain parts of Predator’s suit. It was a great mesh.
Talk about the development of his character and his relationship to his sister.
For me, it was a cool way to take a new take because you have this guy – he’s strong, he’s masculine, he’s brave, but also he’s got this kindness and this warmth to him and that he wants her to succeed. He wants her to return home. It was amazing to be able play something similar but also different and willing to do what it takes.
There’s been an amazing explosion in ingenuous storytelling between this “Dark Winds” and “Reservation Dogs.”How does it feel to finally see representation like this?
There’s this really cool wind behind the sails coming into, coming into this people group. Being a part is an honor. And hopefully, we’ll see that for everybody else because people are interested in different people, other cultures, other different-looking people. I think they’re starting to realize that people find that fascinating. And if we start to explore each other a little bit more, hopefully, it’ll just continue on down that road and we’ll see more of each other on the big screen.
“Prey”Hulu is streaming it right now
