Prey Movie Director Breaks Down New Predator Skull Mask Choice

screenrant.com:

Preydirector Dan Trachtenberg recently broke down the new skull mask choice for the latest version of the Predator. Set in 1719, the upcoming Predator prequel will focus on Naru (Amber Midthunder), a young Comanche hunter who comes face-to-face with an unseen, ruthless alien while on a hunting ritual. Armed with only her hunting bow, a small ax, and her prowess, Naru takes it upon herself to track and kill the Predator before it wipes out her people. Joining Midthunder are Dakota Beavers, Michelle Thrush, Stormee Kipp, Julian Black Antelope, and 6'9" former professional basketball player Dane DiLiegro as the Predator.

Due to the fact that Prey is a prequel of the long-running science-fiction horror franchise, Trachtenberg previously revealed that the iconic Predator's design has been changed from previous editions. The alien hunter's weapons have been either adjusted or removed to showcase a less technologically advanced version of the Predator. This can be seen with the removal of the Predator's distinctive plasma caster, a shoulder-mounted weapon prominently used throughout the film series. In previous films, the villain also sported a metallic mask/helmet that protected the alien's head and mandibles. However, Prey features a newly-styled version of the Predator, now with a skull mask.

Related: The Predator's New Mask In Prey Is More Important Than You Realize

In a recent interview with Total Film, Trachtenberg broke down his choice for giving the Predator a skull mask. The director explained that changing the mask to a skull was one of the very first ideas the filmmakers had for the character's redesign. According to Trachtenberg, this was to create a more terrifying and «ferocious» appeal unseen in previous editions