Summary:
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Predator Killer of Killers is an animated anthology film, directed by Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung.
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The film spans three time periods — Viking-era Scandinavia, feudal Japan, and World War II.
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It expands Predator lore, introduces new Predator variants, and hints at future crossovers.
Predator Killer of Killers is an ambitious new chapter in the Predator franchise. The animated anthology tells three distinct stories across different historical periods, each involving human warriors facing deadly Predators. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung, the film expands Predator lore while introducing stylistic updates and subtle connections to past entries.
What Is The Concept Behind Predator Killer of Killers?
Predator Killer of Killers is the first entry in the franchise since 2022’s Prey. The film is an animated anthology with three self-contained yet interconnected stories. Each segment is set in a different historical period: Viking-era Scandinavia, feudal Japan, and World War II. In each story, human warriors are captured and forced to battle against a variant of the iconic Predator species.
Dan Trachtenberg, known for directing Prey, co-directs this film alongside Joshua Wassung, who brings extensive experience in visual effects from projects like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Masters of the Air. Their combined expertise shapes a film that remains faithful to Predator traditions while expanding its universe through new settings, characters, and visual designs.
The directors emphasized that the anthology format was always the plan. According to Joshua Wassung, from the project’s inception the goal was to deliver multiple compelling stories within a single film. This approach allowed them to surprise audiences and present different perspectives on the timeless conflict between humans and Predators.
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How Does Predator Killer of Killers Expand Predator Lore?
One of the most significant additions to the Predator universe in Killer of Killers is the use of cryo pods to explain how warriors from various eras are brought together. The film’s conclusion reveals that the characters were not time-traveled but rather plucked from their respective time periods and placed into stasis. They are then awakened to participate in battles held in a Yautja coliseum.
Director Dan Trachtenberg clarified that this method was intentionally designed to avoid the complications of time travel. The use of cryo pods allows the narrative to bring together warriors like Naru — last seen in Prey — while maintaining the internal logic of the franchise. The film explicitly shows Naru in stasis, subtly connecting her story with this new chapter.
Another major expansion is the introduction of new Predator variants tailored to each story. Joshua Wassung explained that the team carefully designed these variants to reflect their settings while avoiding any implication that the Predators were mimicking human cultures. Each design was chosen to metaphorically match the type of foe being hunted — for example, a larger Predator variant faces off against Viking warriors, while a more agile, stealth-focused Predator challenges a samurai.
By introducing these variants, the film not only diversifies the visual representation of the Predators but also reinforces the idea that the Yautja species includes different subtypes adapted to different environments and forms of combat.
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What Did The Directors Reveal About Predator Killer of Killers Production?
Dan Trachtenberg and Joshua Wassung shared insights into the production process during an interview with ScreenRant. According to Trachtenberg, one of the major challenges was telling three complete stories that could stand on their own while also contributing to the broader mythology. The team succeeded in weaving together narratives that resonate emotionally and thematically while keeping the action central to the Predator experience.
Trachtenberg also emphasized that while Killer of Killers expands on Predator culture, it does so in a way that complements the franchise’s focus on martial combat and personal stakes, rather than becoming bogged down in excessive lore. The film uses elements like the coliseum setting and the cryo pods to enrich the universe while keeping the audience engaged with the characters’ immediate struggles.
The choice of animation was deliberate, allowing the creators to explore visually ambitious ideas without the constraints of live-action filmmaking. While Trachtenberg expressed interest in seeing the film on the big screen, he acknowledged that adult animation remains a challenging genre for theatrical release in the U.S. He also hinted that if the film proves successful, future crossovers between animated and live-action characters could become a possibility.
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What Are The Future Plans For The Predator Franchise?
Following the release of Predator: Killer of Killers, Dan Trachtenberg is already at work on another project — Predator: Badlands, scheduled for release in November 2025. While Badlands will be heavily Yautja-focused, Trachtenberg clarified that it will maintain the franchise’s core emphasis on intense action and character-driven storytelling, rather than delving into dense historical exposition.
Trachtenberg also acknowledged the potential for future Predator-verse crossovers, though he noted that rights issues and market considerations could influence how these projects develop. The success of Killer of Killers will likely play a role in determining whether the franchise continues to explore animated entries, live-action films, or hybrid approaches.
Predator Killer of Killers premiered on Hulu in 2025 as part of the ongoing expansion of the Predator universe under the 20th Century Studios banner. The film is currently available for streaming and complements both Prey and the upcoming Predator: Badlands as part of the franchise’s latest wave of content.
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