Predicting the distant future has always been a hallmark of science fiction. But predicting the near future is a whole different prospect. Especially when you've got a Predator involved.
The name Yautja, like Xenomorph, was likely created by fans retroactively, since they likely would not have been mentioned by that name in the actual films.
Xenomorph is first used in Aliens. The Yautja were first mentioned in a novelisation of the Alien vs Predator comics (of all places), but I don't think it appears in any of the movies.
You're right about almost all the sequels not leaning into the conflict angle. I wonder if it's because that gives each movie a secondary plot to use? Predator used it to establish the relationship between the mercenaries. Predator 2 used it to give the location and its characters more depth.
I enjoy Predators and will always hype it, but both it and AVP have staged conflicts. AVP2 and The Predator show up in small towns, with zero conflict subplots. Prey skirts it a little, but the tribe's hunting rituals and its significance to the main character is spiritually a conflict, plus the fur traders represent a physical conflict in the world.
Predator: Killer of Killers seems to mix the two. The Viking and WW2 stories showed conflict, but the Ninja story lacked it a bit and the final story went for the staged vibes. Maybe that's why I have mixed feelings about it.
Anyway, your post gives me another reason to argue that Predator 2 is a really great sequel that has contributed a lot to the franchise's legacy.
I'm really curious to see where they go with Badlands. A team-up adventure story with a Yautja and a human joining forces on a distant planet is...not the direction I expected them to take after Prey. Feels kinda like they took a spec script and Predator-ified it. But Trachtenberg is 2 for 2 with this franchise, so we'll see!
I was skeptical after glancing at the trailer (especially because of the animation style) but it won me over really quickly. And since my schedule doesn't always allow for sitting and watching movies in one sitting, the anthology structure made it easy to watch 20-25 minutes at a time. Highly recommended!
Regarding footnote 1, I think it was at a book release event at BookCourt (RIP) that Chuck Klosterman was asked what interview subject he liked the most or found to be the most normal (or something along the lines of “great hang”). And his response was basically, “Jeff Tweedy. And then he entered rehab days after our interview.”
Oh man! I love Klosterman and that sounds like an answer he'd give. 😂 Tweedy's book really does feel at times like having a conversation with him, or sitting through a really good lecture from him.
I love how hard they tried to make Americans afraid of our two biggest cities. (Scary 80s New York will be the subject of a future newsletter! And a future Tape Night!)
The name Yautja, like Xenomorph, was likely created by fans retroactively, since they likely would not have been mentioned by that name in the actual films.
That sounds right. I'm kinda glad there's not a scene (that I can recall) where someone says "So this species is called the Yautja..."
Xenomorph is first used in Aliens. The Yautja were first mentioned in a novelisation of the Alien vs Predator comics (of all places), but I don't think it appears in any of the movies.
Yeah I guess they save the deeper lore for the comics. Have to give the fans something!
You're right about almost all the sequels not leaning into the conflict angle. I wonder if it's because that gives each movie a secondary plot to use? Predator used it to establish the relationship between the mercenaries. Predator 2 used it to give the location and its characters more depth.
I enjoy Predators and will always hype it, but both it and AVP have staged conflicts. AVP2 and The Predator show up in small towns, with zero conflict subplots. Prey skirts it a little, but the tribe's hunting rituals and its significance to the main character is spiritually a conflict, plus the fur traders represent a physical conflict in the world.
Predator: Killer of Killers seems to mix the two. The Viking and WW2 stories showed conflict, but the Ninja story lacked it a bit and the final story went for the staged vibes. Maybe that's why I have mixed feelings about it.
Anyway, your post gives me another reason to argue that Predator 2 is a really great sequel that has contributed a lot to the franchise's legacy.
I'm really curious to see where they go with Badlands. A team-up adventure story with a Yautja and a human joining forces on a distant planet is...not the direction I expected them to take after Prey. Feels kinda like they took a spec script and Predator-ified it. But Trachtenberg is 2 for 2 with this franchise, so we'll see!
That concept was pitched for one of the early AVP movies, so maybe that’s where they got it from.
Oh interesting. So less Alien vs. Predator and more Alien + Predator. 😂
I preach the gospel of predator 2 to anyone that will listen
For a while there it might've been the second-best one lol
This new Predator sounds interesting, I might have to check it out!
I was skeptical after glancing at the trailer (especially because of the animation style) but it won me over really quickly. And since my schedule doesn't always allow for sitting and watching movies in one sitting, the anthology structure made it easy to watch 20-25 minutes at a time. Highly recommended!
Yeah that’s actually great! I need more short form content. 1 hour shows are crushing me.
Regarding footnote 1, I think it was at a book release event at BookCourt (RIP) that Chuck Klosterman was asked what interview subject he liked the most or found to be the most normal (or something along the lines of “great hang”). And his response was basically, “Jeff Tweedy. And then he entered rehab days after our interview.”
Oh man! I love Klosterman and that sounds like an answer he'd give. 😂 Tweedy's book really does feel at times like having a conversation with him, or sitting through a really good lecture from him.
There are two settings that Hollywood portrayed as absolutely terrifying: New York in the 80s, and LA in the 90s. Add this one to the list!
I love how hard they tried to make Americans afraid of our two biggest cities. (Scary 80s New York will be the subject of a future newsletter! And a future Tape Night!)
And yet Chicago, an objectively scary place in the 80s and 90s, was a paradise through Hughes-tinted glasses lol
What about those hardened criminals Jake and Elwood Blues?
A primo example of whimsical fantasy Chicago! Ahn a mission from Gahd!
You know...I'd never considered that. If only we had a Chicagoan guest writer to explore such a topic! 👀
Predator 2 kicks so much ass
You said it, brother.