Discussing the Final Act of 'Predator: Killer of Killers'
In a thrilling twist, the latest Predator film, Predator: Killer of Killers, has revealed a connection to the critically acclaimed Prey, setting the stage for an expanded Predator universe. Amber Midthunder's character, Naru, who was a formidable foe in Prey (set in 1719), is now seen in cryo stasis among captives in the final scenes of Killer of Killers, implying that she was captured by the Predators after her victorious fight in the past[1][3][4].
This revelation confirms that the Predators, or Yautja, collect worthy opponents—humans or otherwise—who have defeated or challenged them, freezing them for future use in their gladiatorial hunts. It underscores a longstanding Predator tradition of "the Killer of Killers," where exceptional warriors like Naru become trophies and participants in ongoing battles[3].
The implications for future Predator films are significant:
- **Prey 2** could delve into Naru’s post-capture journey, perhaps showing her awakening from stasis or her involvement in these gladiatorial fights, extending her story beyond the original 1719 timeline. - **Predator: Badlands**, with its Predator protagonist, might also tap into this narrative thread, focusing on the Predator arenas and the various captives collected throughout time, including figures like Naru, thus weaving a more interconnected saga across different eras and characters.
The introduction of Naru, alongside potential returns of iconic characters such as Lt. Mike Harrigan from Predator 2, suggests the franchise intends to build a continuous mythos linking past and future stories through these cryogenically preserved warriors[4]. Co-director Dan Trachtenberg has clarified that there is no time travel involved; rather, the Predators abduct these warriors from their original times and hold them in stasis, ensuring their survival for future hunts and maintaining a canon-spanning connection[1][2].
Naru’s capture is not the only intriguing development in Killer of Killers. Characters such as Ursa, Kenji, and Torres have all defeated a Predator and been captured, raising questions about a potential Prey 2 and the fate of these characters in future films[3]. The final image of Killer of Killers adds a new dimension to the film, hinting at a complex and interwoven Predator universe that spans across various time periods, potentially including the 1940s and the 4040s[2].
As the Predator franchise continues to evolve, fans can look forward to a richer, more interconnected universe, teeming with possibilities for exciting character returns and deeper lore. This innovative approach promises a thrilling future for the franchise, with Naru's captivating story serving as a bridge between the past and the future.
- The latest revelation in the Predator series, as seen in Predator: Killer of Killers, indicates that Gizmodo's article on the connection between Prey and the Predator universe [1][3][4] is not far off the mark, since the Yautja acknowledge worthy adversaries, like Amber Midthunder's character, Naru, by freezing them for future games in the sci-fi-and-fantasy realm of Predator: Badlands [3].
- The captivating narrative of the Predator universe could witness an expansion in movies-and-tv, as IO9 suggests, with Prey 2 delving into Naru’s story post-capture, exploring her experiences after waking from stasis or her participation in Predator arenas [3].
- The Predator franchise seems committed to building a cohesive mythology connecting past and future stories, as hinted by the inclusion of Lt. Mike Harrigan from Predator 2 and potential appearances of other notable characters, such as Ursa, Kenji, and Torres, who were captured after defeating a Predator [3].
- As the Predator universe ventures into the future, enterprising storytelling could result in interwoven tales spanning multiple time periods, from the 1940s to the 4040s, providing exciting potential for character returns and deeper exploration of the Predator’s mysterious lore in the entertainment industry [2].
