Given just how well she took to the role, it seems as if Amber Midthunder was born to play Prey protagonist Naru. The Predator prequel has been very well-received by franchise fans along with critics while many saying it's one of the best installments of the series. Many viewers have been loving Midthunder in the role of Naru, who proves to be a formidable foe to the Predator even without access to modern firepower.
Getting the right person into this role was important, as confirmed by director Dan Trachtenberg. Speaking about the casting in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Trachtenberg said that the search for their Naru was "intense," but the process had gotten much easier once Midthunder entered the conversation. The director explained how he had impressed him with her audition, which included performing in Comanche with co-star Dakota Beavers with very little preparation.
"It certainly was intense. But as soon as I started talking to Amber, I hoped she was Naru because she’s delightful to be around. And when we auditioned her, she did the scene between her and her mother, which was very moving. And then we did a version of that scene, silent. Sometimes, even while making a movie, we’ll do a verbal scene, but performed without the words. And Amber’s take on that scene in that way was very, very powerful. Eventually, both her and Dakota [Beavers] performed a scene in Comanche, and after only one day of studying the language and Jhane helping them, they were already inherently great at it."
Midthunder nailed Naru's verbal scenes, but the role also would require getting very physical. Fortunately, as Trachtenberg explains, Midthunder sealed the deal with her casting with how she nailed the audition's physical test.
"There was a physical test as a little bit of an obstacle course was set up. We had a stunt coordinator there to investigate their physicality because I’m big on swashbuckle. The way a character moves can be as exciting as anything else in the movie, and Amber was just so gifted at not merely crawling, leaping, and sliding, but also telling a story within those movements, which is so critical in a movie where story is told largely through action. So she was an incredible find, for sure."
Prey Has Drawn Praise from Predator Stars
Even the stars of the original Predator movie have quickly become fans of Prey. After watching the film, Jesse Ventura took to Twitter to give praise to Midthunder and Trachtenberg, feeling that the prequel is a worthy successor to that first movie.
"Great, great, film," Ventura said. "Amber Midthunder, you definitely ain't got time to bleed. Welcome to the Predator family. Dan Trachtenberg: Thank you for making a such a thoughtful, creative, and wonderful film."
Ventura's co-star Bill Duke added, "Have you checked out the Prey movie on Hulu, if not, do watch it. It's an amazing film and Amber Midthunder is phenomenal. This young woman has a bright career ahead of her. As Jesse Ventura mentioned...welcome to the Predator Family. I see you."
Prey is streaming on Hulu.