Nikhil Makwana
The Predator franchise hasn’t seen much success since its first installment, directed by John McTiernan, the story follows a group of buffed-up marines led by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch as they are stalked and killed by the Predator, one by one.
Related: A Detailed Overview Of The ‘Predator’ Franchise’s Many Hunts
Most of the latter movies failed on many levels but still found some praise, including Predator 2 and Predators. But The Predator (2018), a soft-reboot of the series was panned by critics and audience alike, seemingly leaving the franchise on its last leg.
Prey saves the franchise
Released on 5th August, the Predator prequel Prey has given the franchise a breath of fresh air. Set 300 years ago, we see the Predator go toe to toe in the Comanche Nation against a skilled female warrior named Naru.
Read more: Prey: Actress Amber Midthunder “Proud & Excited” For Her New Predator Movie
Brimming with beautiful sound design and awe-inspiring shots, the franchise returns to the original film by utilizing the atmosphere to create tension and grip our attention. The film saw the Comanche face off against the alien hunter with their out-classed technology.
Predator against Samurai?
After seeing how well the beast can be transported to any era and give a compelling movie, many are interested in seeing the extra-terrestrial land in Medieval Japan. Considering how both the parties are well known to be skilled in blades, they could give an exciting showdown.
Check out some of the tweets:
Hiroyuki Sanada as a ronin who attempts to redeem himself by protecting a small village from a Predator who fashioned a mask in a kabuki style. All in Japanese. pic.twitter.com/6rUBVBBl8G
— Paul Klein 👾 (@paulkleinyoo) August 6, 2022
Will you please make a Predator movie that takes place in year 1868 In Japan the last years of the samurai have it star Ken Watanabe & Hiroyuki Sanada & Koyuki as the main humans @20thcentury @RobertIger #thepredator pic.twitter.com/dorY2KcS0a
— Mr.Munster1313 (@JayKnuth) March 9, 2021
While considering who should play the protagonist, many fans suggested Hiroyuki Sanada be the next pred-killer. He has already featured as a ninja in Mortal Kombat and a samurai in The Last Samurai, so the actor does have the chops to pull it off.
Samurais and Easter eggs in Predator movies
The samurai have technically already been teased in the movie Predators, where we see the Yakuza enforcer Hanzo find an ancient Katana. Hanzo later uses the sword to duel with the Falconer Predator in the movie, before both of them succumb to their injuries and die.
Still working on Pred casting. I want to see a Predator film set in Feudal Japan.1500s with the Iga and Koga ninja clans fighting each other along with a Samurai/ Spanish fencer caught in the middle.
1) Sho Kosugi
2) Takeru Satoh
3) Hiroyuki Sanada
4) Ray Park – Spanish Fencer pic.twitter.com/XhfCWJOV6Z— Blade (@BTheDaywalker) March 21, 2019
Read more: New Alien Vs Predator Under Development
Hiroyuki Sanada playing the Veteran Samurai, but I want him to be sensitive and in touch with the world around him while Souta Fukushi being the more aggressive personality-type, but precise ninja. Cliched, but they always work together.
— Michael Cox (@mjcox111) June 14, 2022
Also read: Who Won Alien vs Predator In The First Comic
Previously, the minor easter egg of the Xenomorph skull in Predator 2 resulted in multiple Alien and Predator cross-over comic books and even 2 movies. So it is not far-fetched to assume that a Predator in Medieval Japan isn’t possible, the studio just needs to be incentivized.
Prey is now streaming on Hulu.
Source: Twitter
