The producers behind the next Predator movie revealed more about its plot and timeline, in addition to its title.
Speaking to Collider, producers John Davis and John Fox (Jungle Cruise) said the movie is called Skull and will follow a female hero as she battles the Predators. "It goes back to what made the original Predator movie work. It's the ingenuity of a human being who won't give up, who's able to observe and interpret, basically being able to beat a stronger, more powerful, well-armed force," Davis explained.
Unlike the previous Predator movies, Skull will take place in the distant past, serving as an origin story for the Predators' time on Earth. "It actually has more akin to The Revenant than it does any film in the Predator canon. You'll know what I mean once you see it," said Fox. However, he and Davis refrained from revealing the exact time period for the movie. "You can use your imagination. It is... early," teased Davis.
A report from earlier this year stated Predator 5/Skull will center on Kee, a member of the Comanche tribe "who goes against gender norms and traditions to become a warrior." In May 2021, Discussing Film reported Indigenous American actor Amber Midthunder (Roswell, New Mexico) had secured the movie's lead role, presumed to be that of Kee. However, her casting remains unofficial for the time being.
Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) is directing Skull from a script by Patrick Aison (Jack Ryan, Treadstone). Davis and Fox revealed the movie is "probably three-quarters of the way through" production while praising Trachtenberg for his efforts behind the camera. "Watching dailies, you just understand how his vision is completely unique. He's got his own language and it's fresh and it's cool, and it's interesting," said Davis.
Like the first four Predator films, Skull was conceived as R-rated. Keeping that in mind, Davis said it "could easily end up PG-13" once the final cut is finished. He went on to claim the movie will mark a return to form for the franchise after the critical and commercial disappointment of 2018's The Predator. "I think this is a worthy complement to the first one. It's going to be as good," he added.
Skull has yet to receive a release date.
Source: Collider