The intricate dance between a filmmaker’s vision and the realities of movie production is one of the industry’s oldest tales. ForPreydirectorDan Trachtenberg, this delicate balance came into play when deciding to cut an early scene introducing the film’s protagonist, Naru, to the iconic extraterrestrial antagonist, the Predator.
“Prey” marked the Predator franchise’s triumphant return to the silver screen. Although it skipped a theatrical bow, landing directly on Hulu, the film quickly garnered praise from critics. Audiences were enamored withAmber Midthunder’s portrayal of Naru, a fierce young hunter whose path collides with that of the alien Predator during its bloodthirsty escapade across the Great Plains in the year 1719.
Trachtenberg recently gave a behind-the-scenes look into the movie’s making in a conversation with/Film, as its home release looms. Of particular interest was a scrapped sequence in which Naru encounters the Predator in treetops early on. Trachtenburg shared:
This was a little bit of a filmmaking director trick of the trade. On the one hand, it was a sequence as we were devising it — Naru was in the tree in the beginning, so in my mind, it was to set up the sequence at the end, that the physical capabilities were there and the visual language was sort of already in the movie. I love the idea of seeing her running through the tree, and the Predator up there, because he’s up in the tree so often in these films. Putting her up there, too, it could have been really fun. But I was also incredibly nervous that it ended up looking like Tarzan. The execution had to be perfect for it to be great. Then, it was also becoming very costly to do, and [it was] time-consuming, which, sometimes, is the same thing.
The director added that, while planning the sequence, discussions about budget and logistics became challenging. Instead of compromising on other critical elements, Trachtenberg decided to remove the entire sequence.
Exclusive Prey BTS Clip Explores the Hero of the Predator Prequel
In anticipation of the home media release of Prey, Amber Midthunder explores the Predator outing in this exclusive behind the scenes clip.
The Evolution of Prey: Decisions Behind Naru’s First Encounter
Trachtenberg confessed,
“But in the back of my mind, it was like, Okay, Dan. You’re nervous about it already. Listen to your gut. It might not be great. The thing that I was the saddest to lose was, I thought, a clever use of the cut clamp, one of the Predator’s weapons that Naru has in the sequence. So now, I’m glad that people can kind of see what it was. Previz is a tool that we use all the time in movies and TV sometimes, and movie fans and potential future filmmakers never get to see that stuff, so it’s cool that they have it now.”
Yet, one cannot help but speculate how this alternate introduction might have affected the film’s overarching narrative. Introducing Naru’s advanced hunting capabilities early on might have changed her character arc. While it would not necessarily detract from her evolution, it could potentially lessen the surprise element in the movie’s climax.
In the version that reached audiences, Naru’s first true confrontation with the Predator is intensified. This encounter, where the Predator dispatches a grizzly bear Naru has been combating, not only showcases the alien’s lethal prowess but also underscores the monumental challenge she faces.
However, had the initial treetop encounter been included, the anticipation andsubsequent shock of thePredator’s debutwould have been diluted. While the scrapped sequence would have underscored Naru’s proficiency and her parallels with the Predator, the suspense and buildup in the released version made for a more thrilling viewing experience.
In the end, though fans might wonder about the “what ifs,” Trachtenberg’s decision, influenced by production realities and creative intuition, seems to have struck a chord. The added benefit? Loyal fans and cinephiles get to enjoy a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse at an alternative cinematic reality. The final cinematic piece is just the tip of the iceberg; the enthralling process of modifications and decisions beneath is equally vital.
