Preyis a huge win for thePredatorfranchise for a multitude of reasons.
Its an excellent new addition to a beloved long-running series that appealed to hardcore fans.
And then, on top of that, its a good movie, period.
Initially, Trachtenberg had hoped to be in production onPreywhenShane BlacksPredatorhit theaters in September 2018.
He recalled:
I had this idea, and they were making Shane’s movie.
They’re making a movie.
Image via Hulu
And I was like, Yeah, but this idea, I can’t keep it in.
I emailed an exec at 20th the pitch.
There’s a lot.
It was even more Shane Black-y than one could imagine.
And [I] was like, So if this works, it was just very kitchen sink.
This sucks, but, when they do, this would be the move you make, right?
You make the movie that is more stripped down.
While that mentality does make a good deal of sense, Trachtenbergs reps did suggest pursuing another path.
It makes her movie better and she makes a Predator movie better.
Its like, I can’t not.
We have to just wait.
So thankfully they dug it out of the file cabinet.
However, achieving that didnt come easy and it required some workshopping, test screening, and additional photography.
To be candid, it was challenging.
Im like, What?
But I get it, you know?
So many people said that and I was like, Oh, wrong …
I get why you think that.
Will it add Emmy nominations to that list as well?
Personally, Im betting on it.
Heres what Trachtenberg said when asked how he feels aboutPreybucking that trend:
It’s awesome.
I share your sentiment.
And always thinking John Woo should have won.
Nobody makes movies like that.
Thats as much of an auteur as Tarantino is an auteur.
Why is that not being viewed that way?
And the craft that goes into making sequences like he makes them.
Dont get me started on stunts, and all that stuff.
Thats [huge] in my mental thing, and all the other awards-y stuff.
And Barry Jenkins moderated one of our things, and he loved movie.
Like, Oh yeah, we love the same things.
It’s nice to find other people that like what you like.
Eager to hear more from Trachtenberg on the making ofPrey?
Check out our full 32-minute conversation in the video interview at the top of this article!
And if youre looking for more Emmy season FYC content, watchChrista Millers episode ofCollider Ladies Nightin celebration ofShrinkingbelow:
