Now that the long-running Predator franchise has seemingly been saved after all these years by the superb prequel, Prey, fans have been looking ahead to what could come next for the iconic movie monster. And one idea has risen above all others. Taking to social media, Predator fans have posited the frankly excellent idea of dropping the hunter into feudal Japan and setting the monster against a Samurai played by Mortal Kombat star Hiroyuki Sanada.

Some have gone even further, building upon the foundations of the premise of Predator versus Samurai and adding plot beats and further cast members.

The idea is certainly a solid one with fans of Prey suggesting that, moving forward, the Predator franchise should simply drop the beast into time periods.

Of course, what makes Prey so special is the clear real-life historical reflection created when dropping the Predator into the Comanche Nation. Even so, throwing the monster into the Samurai era seems far too exciting a prospect to pass up.

Besides, dumping the Predator onto a shamed samurai played by Hiroyuki Sanada, who has proven his talents and gravitas time and again in the likes of Sunshine, Mortal Kombat, and Westworld, as well as his affinity for playing a samurai in The Last Samurai, The Twilight Samurai, and many, many more, could quite easily be given its own themes and historical reflections far beyond simply ‘Predator vs Samurai.’ And, if nothing else, the movie would promise another stellar central performance from Sanada similar to Prey’s Amber Midthunder.

Prey Director Dan Trachtenberg Has Already Hinted at Further Predator Movies Following the Prequel

Prey director Dan Trachtenberg has already teased more outings for the Predator, and has suggested that we could see the movie monster land in other time periods. “There are a lot of exciting ideas for what could be next for the franchise,” the filmmaker said. “The things that most excite me are the boldest swings and I think there's scope to do other things that haven't been done before.”

While he did not reveal exactly what these “big swings” will be, it stands to reason that taking different Predators and putting them in a variety of countries and time periods is something that fans would love to see following the direction that Prey has now taken the franchise in. Based on the critical success of Prey, we can surely look forward to many more Predator movies in the near future — hopefully with Dan Trachtenberg at the helm.

From 20th Century Studios, Prey is set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago and tells the story of a young woman, Naru, a fierce and highly skilled warrior. She has been raised in the shadow of some of the most legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains, so when danger threatens her camp, she sets out to protect her people. The prey she stalks, and ultimately confronts, turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator with a technically advanced arsenal, resulting in a vicious and terrifying showdown between the two adversaries.

Written by Patrick Aison (Jack Ryan, Treadstone) and starring Amber Midthunder (Legion) alongside Dakota Beavers, Stormee Kipp, Michelle Thrush, Julian Black Antelope, and Dane DiLiegro as the Predator, Prey is now available to stream on Hulu.