Dan Trachtenberg’s animated feature “Predator: Killer of Killers” premieres on Hulu tomorrow, June 6, marking the second of three official films in the Predator franchise that he directs. This new animated installment follows 2022’s Emmy-nominated “Prey” and is set to be joined by the live-action film “Predator: Badlands,” scheduled for theaters this November.
As a fresh creative voice in the nearly four-decade-old franchise, Trachtenberg has pioneered the expansion of the Predator universe into animation. His collaborative efforts with The Third Floor, a previs and postviz studio, began with storyboarding and visualization for “Prey.” Over two years, he and Joshua Wassung, The Third Floor’s co-founder, worked closely, establishing a shared creative vision that laid the groundwork for “Killer of Killers.”
The process began in earnest in 2020 when The Third Floor invested in developing a cinematic animation pipeline using Unreal Engine. Their collaboration with Trachtenberg intensified when he suggested the idea of an animated Predator movie. Once “Prey” gained acclaim, the two began seriously discussing the animated project, which ultimately led to the purchase of a budget for initial art and story exploration.
Wassung shared that the path to creating the film involved multiple stages, beginning with pitches that gradually evolved into a concrete plan. Initial greenlight discussions progressed into an intense production timeline, culminating in an 18-month production phase. The team utilized real-time techniques in Unreal Engine to expedite the animation process, achieving a full cut of the film within just four months, demonstrating a proactive approach to creative decision-making.
The film, which explores various historical eras including Viking times, feudal Japan, and World War II, involved collaboration with multiple vendors for asset creation while ensuring consistent aesthetic quality via in-house teams. The distinctive visual style aimed to present a “moving concept art” experience, emphasizing the cultural significance of each setting, curated with the help of professional cultural advisors.
Combining animation with intense action sequences, Wassung and Trachtenberg focused on capturing a sense of realism with stylized presentation. This dedication to balancing live-action groundedness with animated exaggeration has resulted in a film that promises to entertain while resonating emotionally with viewers.
Looking ahead, both Wassung and Trachtenberg express ambition for The Third Floor’s animation division, aspiring to become a multi-project studio that continuously nurtures talent and creative output.
As this dynamic new chapter of the Predator franchise unfolds, it signifies a blend of innovation, storytelling, and cultural respect. “Predator: Killer of Killers” reflects a commitment to pushing boundaries while honoring the legacy of the series, offering fans both nostalgia and fresh thrills.