THE DEADLIEST STATEMENT PIECE: PREDATOR ANTHOLOGY REIMAGINES HISTORICAL WARFARE
In an unexpected crossover of high concept and high art, 20th Century Studios has revealed its most captivating creation yet: “Predator: Killer of Killers,” an animated anthology that promises to deliver the ultimate in predatory chic across three distinctive historical landscapes. Set to premiere exclusively on Hulu on June 6, this visual feast represents a bold new direction for a franchise that has consistently reinvented itself with the same determination as the fashion industry’s seasonal transformations.
Visionary director Dan Trachtenberg, who masterfully revitalized the Predator aesthetic with 2022’s critically acclaimed “Prey,” returns to curate this collection of deadly encounters. Each segment reads like a carefully constructed editorial spread: a fierce Viking warrior mother guiding her son through a blood-soaked revenge narrative; a rebellious ninja in feudal Japan breaking familial bonds in a succession battle; and a WWII pilot investigating an otherworldly presence threatening Allied forces.
The styling of each historical period promises to be impeccably researched, with the fashion of warfare – from Nordic armor to ninja stealth wear to military aviator gear – providing visual texture against which the Predator’s iconic silhouette will create dramatic contrast. The anthology format cleverly acknowledges that while these human warriors may be killers in their respective cultural contexts, they remain merely prey when confronted with the ultimate apex predator.
Animation director Josh Wassung of The Third Floor brings his distinctive visual sensibility to the project, collaborating closely with Trachtenberg to craft a narrative penned by Micho Robert Rutare from a story they conceived together, based on the enduring template created by Jim and John Thomas.
In an ambitious scheduling decision that rivals fashion month for intensity, Trachtenberg is simultaneously overseeing “Predator: Badlands,” a live-action feature starring the luminous Elle Fanning, set for theatrical release on November 7. Fanning recently previewed the film at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, generating substantial industry buzz around her unconventional pairing with a young Predator character.
The concept brilliantly exploits the franchise’s versatility, allowing these extraterrestrial hunters to interrupt any historical tableau where worthy adversaries might be found – a creative approach that fashion insiders will recognize as similar to how designers reinterpret and reimagine cultural touchpoints across collections.
“We were writing the script for [Killer of Killers] while we were prevising stuff on [Badlands], and then [once on location] in New Zealand, on the way to shoot [Badlands], we would remote with everyone back here and [watch footage] thanks to Starlink,” Trachtenberg revealed, describing a production schedule as demanding as preparing simultaneous runway shows.
When questioned about his decision to helm two productions simultaneously, Trachtenberg responded with the self-awareness of a designer post-collection: “This all was like a game of hopscotch… That was dumb. I hope I don’t do it again.”
With its anthology approach, “Predator: Killer of Killers” emerges as the unexpected must-see event of the summer streaming season – proving once again that in both fashion and film, the most captivating creations often arise from the bold remixing of timeless elements with contemporary vision.
