Predator (fictional species)

The Predator aliens are a fictional extraterrestrial species featured in the Predator science-fiction franchise, characterised by their trophy hunting of other dangerous species for sport, including humans.

First introduced in 1987 as The Predator, main antagonist of the film Predator, further members of the species were subsequently represented in a sequel, numerous novels, video games, comic books, and a crossover franchise. While a definitive name for the species is not given in the films, the names Yautja and Hish have been alternatively used in the expanded universe.

Created by brothers Jim and John Thomas, the Predators are depicted as large, sapient, sentient humanoid creatures who possess advanced technology such as active camouflage and energy weapons, and are capable of interstellar travel.

Concept and creation

Design

The Predator design is credited to special effects artist Stan Winston. While flying to Japan with Aliens director James Cameron, Winston, who had been hired to design the Predator, was doing concept art on the flight. Cameron saw what he was drawing and said, "I always wanted to see something with mandibles". Winston then included them in his designs. Stan Winston's studio created all of the physical effects for Predator and Predator 2, creating the body suit for actor Kevin Peter Hall and the mechanical facial effects. They were hired after attempts to create a convincing monster (including Jean-Claude Van Damme wearing a much different body suit) had failed. Arnold Schwarzenegger recommended Winston after his experience working on The Terminator.

The Predator was originally designed with a long neck, a dog-like head and a single eye. This design was abandoned when it became apparent that the jungle locations would make shooting the complex design too difficult. Originally, the studio contracted the makeup effects for the alien from Richard Edlund's Boss Film Creature Shop. However, problems filming the alien in Mexico resulted in the makeup effects responsibilities being given to Stan Winston. According to former Boss Films make-up supervisor Steve Johnson, the makeup failed because of an impractical design by McTiernan that included 12-inch length extensions that gave the Predator a backward bent satyr-leg. The design did not work in the jungle locations. After six weeks of shooting in the jungles of Palenque, Mexico, the production had to shut down so that Winston could make a new Predator. This took eight months and then filming resumed for five weeks, ending in February 1987.

Film portrayals

File:P1-The Predator De-cloaked.png

The Predator as it first appeared in John McTiernan's 1987 film Predator.

Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast as the Predator, the idea being that the physical action star would use his martial arts skills to make the Predator an agile, ninja-esque hunter. When compared to Schwarzenegger, Weathers, and Ventura, actors known for their bodybuilding regimes, it became apparent a more physically-imposing man was needed to make the creature appear threatening. Jesse Ventura's autobiography also alleges that Van Damme intentionally injured a stunt man. Eventually, Van Damme was removed from the film and replaced by the late actor and mime artist Kevin Peter Hall. Hall, standing at an imposing 7 foot 2, had just finished work as a sasquatch in Harry and the Hendersons.

Kevin Peter Hall played the Predator in the first and second movies, having been in many suits before, including Harry and the Hendersons. He was trained in the art of mime and used many tribal dance moves in his performance, such as during the fight between Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Predator at the end of the first movie. In Predator 2, according to a "making of" featurette, Danny Glover suggested the Los Angeles Lakers to be the other Predators because Glover himself was a big fan. Hall persuaded some of the Lakers to play background Predators because they couldn't find anyone on short notice. Hall died not long after Predator 2 was released in theaters.

In Alien vs. Predator, Welsh actor Ian Whyte, a fan of the Predator comics and movies, took over as the man in the Predator suit, portraying the Predator dubbed "Scar" for most of the movie, and also the "Celtic" Predator during Celtic's fight with a xenomorph. Whyte returned to portray the "Wolf" Predator in the second Alien vs. Predator movie.

Special and make-up effects

The Predator's blood was originally made from a combination of the liquid out of glow sticks mixed with K-Y Jelly. The mixture would dry up quickly, so on set new batches had to be quickly made between takes. The technique is still used.

The camouflage effect was designed by R/Greenberg Associates, under the direction of Joel Hynek. The idea for the effect came in a dream one of the Thomas brothers (who wrote the film) had in which there was a chrome man who was inside a reflective sphere. The man blended in, perfectly camouflaged, reflecting from all directions and only visible when in motion. It took quite a while before they figured out how to do it, which was basically an image repeated in a pattern of ripples in the shape of the Predator's body. It proved very effective and was a new way of presenting an "invisible man." Before there was digital technology all of the camouflage was done optically using photo-chemical means. This meant that you would never get the same result twice from combining the pieces of film.

After the original movies, Amalgamated Dynamics took over from Stan Winston Studio in creating the props for the Predators in the Alien vs. Predator movie and a number of effects houses worked on the various other effects. The design of the Predator and its attributes including the cloaking technology and self-destruct device have changed over the years because of the advances in effects technology and will surely continue to vary in design in coming years.

Film appearances

Predator

First appearing in the 1987 film, Predator, the titular character lands on Val Verde via a spacecraft. It begins hunting down a United States Army Special Forces group, stationed there to rescue presidential cabinet ministers kidnapped by guerrilla forces. The Predator dispatches the soldiers one by one with a vast array of weaponry until Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is the last one alive. The two later engage each other in single combat, which is at first dominated by the Predator, until Dutch sets a trap which seriously injures the creature. The dying Predator commits suicide by activating a self-destruct device.

Predator 2

File:The Elder From Predator 2.png

A trio of Predators seen aboard their spacecraft in Predator 2. The ancient, veteran leader can be seen in the middle.

Appearing later in the 1990 sequel set 10 years after the events of the first film, a new Predator sets its sights on Los Angeles, attracted by the summer heat and the drug wars between the Jamaican and Colombian druglords, as well as the L.A.P.D. attempting to fight both gangs. The Predator first targets a group of Colombian gunmen during a one sided shootout against the L.A.P.D. officers until the arrival of Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover). Shortly thereafter, the Predator kills a group of Jamaican gang members in the process of executing one of their Columbian rivals. The Predator then begins actively targeting the L.A.P.D. officers attempting to investigate its handiwork, specifically Harrigan's three partners (Ruben Blades, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Bill Paxton), as well as a federal agency group led by Peter Keyes (Gary Busey) bent on capturing it. The Predator is ultimately confronted by Harrigan in its own ship and killed when Harrigan uses its own weapons against it. The Predator's clan-mates carry away the dead Predator's body and give Harrigan an 18th century Flintlock as a sign of respect.

A young Predator initiate and an Alien face each other.

Alien vs. Predator

In 2004 a Predator ship arrives on Earth to draw humans to an ancient Predator training grounds on an island near Antarctica. A buried pyramid which gives off a "heat bloom" attracts humans, led by Charles Bishop Weyland (Lance Henriksen), who unknowingly activate an alien egg production line. Three Predator warriors enter the structure, killing all humans in their way, with the intention of hunting the newly-formed alien drones. During the battle two Predators die, while the third allies with the lone surviving human, Alexa Woods (Sanaa Lathan), in order to battle the escaped Queen Alien. The Queen is defeated, but not before she mortally wounds the last Predator. The orbiting Predator ship uncloaks and the crew retrieve the fallen Predator, and once in orbit it is revealed that a chestburster was in the corpse, but this one has Predator mandibles.

Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem

Set immediately after the previous film, we once again see the PredAlien hybrid on board the Predator ship in space above Earth. It appears to immediately grow to full adult size and sets about killing the hunters onboard the ship, causing it to crash in Colorado. The last survivor activates a distress beacon with video of the Predalien, which is received by a veteran Predator who sets off towards Earth. When he arrives the Predator tracks the Aliens into a section of the sewer below town, removing evidence of their presence as he goes. He uses a laser net to try to contain the creatures, but when his dual plasma cannons misfire in a fight, the aliens escape into the city above. The Predator tracks and kills Aliens all across town (accidentally cutting the power to the town as he does so). When the Predator accidentally kills a human with his shurikens, one of the humans, Ricky (Johnny Lewis), attacks him with a machine rifle. It distracts him enough for an Alien to knock the Predator down an elevator shaft after dropping his plasma pistol. Ricky's brother Dallas (Steven Pasquale) picks up the plasma pistol and the humans escape in a helicopter as the Predator fights the Predalien. The Predator removes his mask and electronics to fight the Predalien and skewers its head with his wristblades as the Predalien stabs him with its tail, just as the military drops a tactical nuclear bomb on the town. The helicopter crashes outside of town and the Army shows up and takes the plasma pistol. Several high-ranking members of the military then deliver the plasma pistol to Ms. Yutani..

Characteristics

Biology

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Close up of a Predator's face, as shown in Predator.

Predators are physically distinguished from humans by their greater height, arthropod-like mandibles and very long, tentacle-like hair on their heads. Their bodies are resilient to damage, being capable of recovering from gunshot wounds and radiation doses which would prove fatal to humans. They have enormous physical strength, being capable of smashing concrete with their fists. They are also skilled climbers, and will readily move through trees or rooftops in pursuit of prey. Though capable of surviving through extremely low levels of temperature, Predators have a preference for extreme heat. Their blood is dark phosphor green in colour. Basic vision is a dark red haze that can detect body heat from living organisms and is at best, limited. When wearing the hunting helmet however, the Predator has the option of switching between a variety of visions including a refined infra-red and ultraviolet. They are capable of surviving in Earth's atmosphere, though they show visible discomfort in breathing air from heavily urbanised areas. Their dietary habits are covered in Predator 2, where it is revealed that the creature regularly visited a vacant slaughter house to feed on the stored meat there. Predators have a high vocal range, expressing themselves through numerous different sounds, ranging from purrs to roars. They are capable of mimicking human speech to an extent

Throughout their film appearances, Predators have undergone numerous design variations. In Predator 2, the main Predator was designed to look more urban and hip than it's predecessor. Design changes included tribal ornamentation on the forehead, which was made steeper and shallower, brighter skin colouration and a greater number of fangs. In Alien versus Predator, the appearance of the Predators was re-designed to make them seem more heroic. Re-designs included a reduction in head and waist size, broader shoulders, piranha-like teeth on the upper jaw and dryer, less clammier skin to further differentiate them from the Aliens. In Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, the Predator was returned to the sleeker design concept prior to Alien vs Predator.

The Predator homeworld, as seen in Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, is shown to be surrounded by an asteroid belt and has a highly mountainous and volcanic terrain. Densely populated areas show architecture similair to that of Ancient Egypt and the Aztecs.

File:Predator homeworld.jpg

The Predator homeworld, as shown in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.

Culture

Predator culture revolves around the hunting and stalking of dangerous lifeforms. After making a kill, Predators typically skin or decapitate the carcass, converting it into a trophy. Failure in a hunt usually results in the Predator involved committing suicide. It is often alluded to that the reason Predators hunt is not for sustenance or elimination of threats, but as entertainment, as they will only attack life forms that have the ability to provide them with a challenge.

Predators first encountered humans in 2997 BC on what is now Bouvetøya, Antarctica and later made further contact with other human civilisations, such as the Ancient Egyptians, Cambodians and the Aztecs. Upon arriving on Earth, the Predators were worshiped as gods by the resident humans, and taught many of these civilizations how to build pyramids (an explanation as to why many of these different ancient societies had distinctly similar cultures and architecture), but in return expected sacrifices of humans for use as hosts for huntable xenomorphs. The Predators returned to Antarctica every century to consummate the bargain, until at one point in the relationship, the xenomorph population spread out of control, resulting in the Predators destroying the entire area of the infestation. Relations between the two species deteriorated after that event, with the Predators viewing humans as another quarry to hunt. When hunting humans, Predators normally avoid unarmed individuals, though they will spare armed ones if they happen to be pregnant or sickly. A human who has managed to kill a Predator in single combat or has fought alongside one is usually given a gift (often a rare or exotic weapon) as a sign of respect. Predators have a deep respect for xenomorphs and consider them to be more than worthy as hunting trophies. Warrior caste xenomorphs are often used to train and test young Predators by fatally weeding out the weaker initiates. A student's first successful Alien hunt is completed with the marking of his forehead with the acidic blood of his kill. Predators sometimes keep xenomorph Queens in captivity in order to obtain an easily accessible supply of eggs.

Language

Main article: Yautja language

Technology

Main article: Predator technology

Expanded universe

In the Aliens vs. Predator novel series based on the Dark Horse Comics by David Bischoff, Steve and Stephani Perry, the Predators, known in the series as "Yautja", are revealed to live in a matriarchal clan-based society bearing similarities to a pack mentality, with the stronger and most skilled of the group being leader. The Predators are portrayed as sexually dimorphic mammals, with females being larger and stronger than males and sporting more prominent mammary glands (like human females). Both genders give off a strong musk to signify aggression, while females can also emit it when in estrus. This musk can be detected by other Predators and canids, though it is imperceptible to humans. Predators in the Perry novels are not monogamous, and it is not uncommon for veteran warriors to sire hundreds of offspring (known as sucklings) with multiple mates. It is also revealed that their blood has the capacity of partially neutralising the acidity of Alien blood. Their religion is partially delved upon in the series, showing that they are polytheistic, and that their equivalent to the Grim Reaper is the so called "Black Warrior", who is seen as an eternal adversary who eventually wins all battles.

File:Predator-training.jpg

Predator initiates sparring under the supervision of an elder, before their first hunt in Aliens versus Predator

Though female Predators are occasionally referred to in Steve and Stephani Perry's novel series, one does not make an actual appearance until the graphic novel Aliens vs Predator: Deadliest of Species.

In John Shirley's stand alone novel Predator: Forever Midnight, Predators, now reffered to as "Hish", are shown to possess a gland located between their neck and collarbone which secretes powerful hormones into their bloodstream and which drives them to hyper-aggression. When this gland is over-stimulated, it sends the creatures into a frenzied rage, causing them to attempt killing any living thing in sight, including members of their own species. This "kill rage" can be contagious and spread from one Predator to another, driving them all to attack each other. The Predators as a species barely survived the wars provoked by their kill glands, and they have learned to control the gland's secretions with artificial hormone regulators.

In John Vance's graphic novel Predator Homeworld, it is revealed that Predators breathe 1% more oxygen, and 4% more nitrogen than humans, and that they are capable of adapting themselves to Earth's atmosphere for one week at the most if deprived of breathing aparatus. In Ian Edginton and Alex Maleev's graphic novel Aliens vs. Predator: Eternal and the videogame Predator: Concrete Jungle, Predator flesh and blood, if consumed, is shown to have the capacity of greatly lengthening a human lifespan.

Humans are known in the Predator language as Pyode Amedha or "Soft Meat", and are considered a true test of skill to hunt when armed. The killing of young, infirm or unarmed humans is punishable by death. Only experienced warriors who have marked themselves with the blood of their first xenomorph kill are permitted to hunt humans. Predator folklore tends to exaggerate the ferocity and power of humans, sometimes using them as a way of frightening unruly young. Humans have on occasion been accepted into Predator society if they showed themselves to be strong or skilled enough, though not without some social stigma from younger warriors.

Aliens are known in the Predator language as Kainde Amedha or "Hard Meat", and are considered the "fingers of the gods" who weed out the weaker members of the Predator species, ensuring that only the strongest survive. The design of the acid marks placed on the foreheads of first time Aliens killers vary, depending on the teacher. Though Predators consider warrior caste Aliens to be little more than target practise unless fought with a melee weapon, Queens are considered too powerful for an individual warrior to kill, unless armed with a plasma caster. When keeping a captive Alien queen for breeding, a carefully controlled number of her eggs are launched on inhabited planets, where the resulting facehuggers will make use of the native populations in creating warrior caste Xenomorphs ready for hunting. Eggs containing queen facehuggers are destroyed, in order to prevent uncontrolled population growth.

In popular culture

Cover of the Batman/Predator crossover

The Predators have also been involved in a number of spin-offs in a range of media that include novels, comic books and video games, most prominently Predator: Concrete Jungle.

Since Predator, the Predators have appeared in many crossovers (including a large number of intercompany crossovers) in comic books and other media such as novels, toys and video games.

The largest of these crossovers is the Alien vs. Predator franchise, in which the Predators hunt the Aliens. This was an idea that came to comic book artist Chris Warner in early 1989. He and other people at Dark Horse Comics were trying to come up with a good character combo for a new comics series. Dark Horse had been publishing Aliens comic book under license from 20th Century Fox since 1987. In 1990, the first depiction of the idea in film appeared in Predator 2, when a xenomorph skull appeared as one of the trophies in the Predator spacecraft.

At Warner's suggestion, Dark Horse head publisher Mike Richardson phoned the head of Fox licensing Pam North with their idea, expecting to have a long negotiation ahead. Instead, North was immediately enthusiastic about the concept.

The deal that brought the two characters together was credited as "Deal of the Year" by Capital City Distributors, even though it only took a few phone calls (a fact Dark Horse somehow neglected to contradict).

Alien vs. Predator, released in 2004 with director Paul W. S. Anderson at the helm, incorporates several elements from the comic books although it had a completely different story.

As well as Alien-franchise cross-overs, there have also been many other comic book crossovers with Superman, The Darkness, Witchblade, Magnus Robot Fighter, Green Lantern, Judge Dredd, Tarzan and Batman. In the comic Aliens versus Predator versus The Terminator they are also shown as a force of balance on a cosmic level, working to stop a flood of Terminator androids from decimating the population of the galaxy. A Predator who was constantly in stealth mode appeared in an episode of the late night animated series Sealab 2021 in the episode entitled "Predator". On page 2 of Green Lantern #24, where the entire Sinestro Corps head for earth, one of the members at the bottom of the page is obviously a take on a Predator. It features the iconic mandibles, elongated head, dreadlocks, and even a shoulder cannon, along with the Sinestro corps uniform and Qwardian Power ring. A xenomorph member of the Sinestro Corps also appears fighting another Lantern in the following issue, along with a creature with dreadlocks, a spear, and a predator mask.

A Predator appears on the South Park episodes, "Butters Own Episode" where it targets the young boy with it's plasma caster from off screen and "Imaginationland" where one is seen near butters who immeadiatly says "Ahh! a Predator."

Some of the alien species in the Unreal Tournament franchise of video games resemble the Predator. The Gen Mo Kai are similar in structure to the Predator, as well as having dreadlocks and extreme agility. The Skaarj also feature dreadlocks and wrist-based retractable blades. The Skaarj also have clan-like communities and a penchant for trophy hunting.

See also

• Xenomorph (Alien)
• Hirogen

External Links

• Template:Imdb character
• Yautja Encyclopedia [1]
• Predator at the Alien vs. Predator Wiki
• Predator: The Hunted
• Predator collectibles and kit guide
• Predator Information Site
• Predator Weapons