The Origin of the Awesome Animated ‘Predator’ Movie

If you’re a fan of movies, you might’ve heard about the surprising news that we’re getting two new Predator films this year. While Director Dan Trachtenberg is helming a live-action Predator movie with Elle Fanning, he’s also brought us an animated surprise called Predator: Killer of Killers, coming to Hulu on June 6. Wondering where this unexpected, two-pronged project stemmed from? Well, get ready to hear how the directors came up with this unique idea.

Trachtenberg shared the inspiration behind this unusual venture, explaining, “After Prey, I wanted to figure out how to make a Predator sequel that wasn’t just a continuation but could stand on its own as a cool movie. I had three ideas in mind after thinking about it—Predator: Badlands, which is set for November, Killer of Killers, which is releasing this week, and another idea in the works.” It’s evident that to make these ideas happen, Trachtenberg would need to tackle both films together. This challenge led him to bring on Josh Wassung, an expert collaborator from Hollywood’s visualization powerhouse, the Third Floor.

Wassung speaks enthusiastically about the evolution of the Predator project, mentioning, “When developing a new animation pipeline, we discussed the prospect of an animated Predator movie, something we saw as thrilling, almost too good to be true. Luckily, after the success of Prey, our vision became a reality. Trachtenberg trusted me to co-direct, blending his live-action expertise with my animation flair.”

Killer of Killers isn’t just any animation—it’s a multifaceted narrative that intertwines three distinct stories, each representing a different era. The Viking, the Ninja, and the WWII pilot, each trapped in a deadly game with their alien adversary, are all part of one grand tale. Trachtenberg’s refreshing approach to storytelling came from realizing that the movie wasn’t just three separate stories—it’s one overarching saga that draws from existing Predator lore in unexpected ways.

The movie promises a fresh reimagining of the Predator franchise, upending traditional expectations while staying true to its heart-pounding action and gripping character journeys. Trachtenberg teases, “The movie starts one way and then transforms into something else entirely. Just like in Prey and Badlands, we’ll keep you guessing about what’s around the corner.”

So, about this animated Predator movie—you might not have expected it to be this good, but it’s worth checking out. Mark your calendars for Predator: Killer of Killers on Hulu this June and return to io9 for a deep dive into the film’s big surprises. For more exciting updates on Marvel, Star Wars, and more, be sure to keep up with io9’s latest news in the world of entertainment.