Predator: Killer of Killers arrives, and director Dan Trachtenberg has even more ideas for the franchise.

We all remember how popular Prey was, with its unique take on the Predator universe. Dan Trachtenberg, the film's director, has given us another surprise with the animated anthology Predator: Killer Of Killers. Even more intriguing, Trachtenberg recently explained why he "sort of rushed" to complete Killer of Killers and the next live-action film Predator: Badlands at the same time. It appears that he has a larger vision for the future of this science fiction series. He is clearly not done with the Predators yet, which excites me.

After the release of Prey, Trachtenberg began to consider what comes next. He has three major concepts. "Killers is one, Badlands is two, and the third is something else," he told SFX. He went on to elaborate on his haste: "The reason why I felt possessed to make them and sort of why I rushed - I did two at once because I could do, I could multitask with animation - was because I was so eager to get to the third thing." This suggests that he has a clear idea for where the Predator tale will go from here. It's not only about making sequels because the last one was successful.

He wants to tell stories that really push the boundaries of what we've seen. "There are a lot of great ideas out there, and none of them are just like, 'Oh, we have to say the next part of this tale because it was successful.' All of it is like, "Whoa, no one has done that in science fiction." Nobody has done that in Predator. No one has done that with the creature; all of those concepts stem from that instinct. So, yeah, there is absolutely a third project I'd like to do once Badlands is finished." With each new creation, it appears that he strives for something truly distinctive. I absolutely enjoy this approach.

Predator: Killer Of Killers offers three wild hunts set in different time periods.

From Viking Warriors to WWII Pilots, the animated anthology shows many fights against the Yautja.

Predator: Killer of Killers premiered on Hulu in the United States and Disney Plus in the United Kingdom on June 6. This animated short depicts three determined fighters from several different eras going combat against the infamous Predator. The film begins in 841 AD. Ursa leads her Viking fleet on a violent retribution quest. Then it shifts to feudal Japan. Ninja Kenji wishes to bring down his brother Kiyoshi. Next, we encounter John Torres, a WWII pilot. He takes to the skies to protect his friends from a seemingly invisible enemy. Each narrative relates in a way that I will not reveal here. Trachtenberg and co-director Joshua Wassung took sure to incorporate a minor clue that proves Killer of Killers is part of the wider Predator franchise. Fans always like this kind of connected detail.

A major development in Killer of Killers is that it finally incorporates a long-standing fan phrase into official movie narrative. In this film, the species known as Predators is ultimately given the name "Yautja". This moniker has been used by fans and in tie-in products for over three decades. It debuted in a novelization of the Alien vs. Predator comic book. This is a significant step forward for the franchise since it demonstrates the producers' willingness to incorporate themes that fans have long desired. It adds to the alien hunters' sense of being one-of-a-kind in the world of science fiction. This detail makes the story feel more linked and authentic.

The formal use of the term "Yautja" implies that future Predator efforts may draw inspiration from other stories and comics. It's comparable to how current Star Wars films and shows have included elements from older, non-movie storylines. The film also effectively depicts the Yautja Code, which describes their hunting way of life. This code refers to them as "killer of killers." This means they search the cosmos for the most difficult problems. The Predator King discusses this code. The people bleed themselves as a tribute to the combat they see. This demonstrates that the Yautja have a complete way of life. They are not mindless killers. They follow a code of honor. This heightens the impact of their terrifying appearances.

What We Know About Predator: Badlands, With Hints Of Alien Crossovers

Elle Fanning Leads The Next Live-Action Predator Film, As Alien Connections Grow

Predator: Badlands is still relatively unknown. This film will mark the series' return to live-action. It is set to open in theaters on November 7. We know Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi will play Dek, an outcast Predator. Elle Fanning will play a Weyland-Yutani robot named Thia. A casting call suggested that Fanning may portray twin sisters. Thia, one of the sisters, is intelligent yet naive, and she is just embarking on her first major adventure. Tessa, the other sister, is adamant about achieving her family's goals. This dual job sounds quite appealing to Fanning. The robot's relationship to Weyland-Yutani has fans speculating about a possible crossover with the Alien franchise. This impression grew stronger after a recent promo for the new TV series Alien: Earth contained a sound that sounded extremely similar to a Predator growl.

Fede Alvarez, the filmmaker working on Alien: Romulus, was asked if he would be interested in making an Alien vs. Predator film. He grinned and added, "I'm not sure; it depends on how well this goes and whether people still want to watch it. Maybe I'll have to co-direct this with my pal Dan. Perhaps we should do what Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez did with From Dusk Till Dawn. We can accomplish it; I direct one side and he directs the other." Fans enjoy watching filmmakers engage in casual conversation. It demonstrates that they are thinking about tremendous potential for these creatures.

Looking at the animation style and the overall future of the Predator series

Thoughts on Killer of Killers' Visuals and the Path Dan Trachtenberg is Creating

While the animated style of Killer of Killers is totally acceptable, some may feel it lacks something when compared to live-action. It is really clean and nearly too smooth. This may lead some to ask if artificial intelligence was involved. We probably won't know for certain, but the thought can get in the way. However, things ramp up significantly when the protagonists arrive at the Predators' homeworld for the final great showdown. A Viking, a Samurai, and a US pilot must fight to the death in an arena for the enjoyment of the local Predators. There are some amusing gags, and the fundamental challenge of communication among the three is a wonderful touch. It should have been more exciting, but it's encouraging to see a nearly 40-year-old series constantly attempting new ideas.

Dan Trachtenberg's eagerness to move on to his "third thing" in the Predator franchise suggests that we should expect more creative ideas. He isn't simply duplicating what worked before. He wants to continue pushing the limits of science fiction. This level of drive from a director is fantastic news for fans. It implies the Predator franchise' future is in capable hands. We will most likely witness stories that are not solely based on prior triumphs. Instead, they will strive to surprise us by telling stories about these iconic aliens that we have never seen before. I'm looking forward to seeing what else he has planned after Badlands is released.