Prey producer Jhane Myers explains the perfect Comanche meaning behind Naru's name and why it was changed from the original script. The fifth Predator film overall (not including the Alien vs. Predator spinoffs), Prey tells the story of Naru (Amber Midthunder), a female Comanche hunter in the 18th century who faces off against the first alien Predator to land on Earth. The film, which is directed by 10 Cloverfield Lane director Dan Trachtenberg, has been a big hit with both audience and critics, with many viewers praising the film's depiction of Comanche culture.

Prey features a predominantly Native American cast and, in an exciting first for a film of this size, has the option on Hulu to be watched with a Comanche dub for all the dialogue. In addition to Midthunder, Prey also stars Dakota Beavers, Stormee Kipp, Michelle Thrush, and Julian Black Antelope, among others. Midthunder previously revealed that cast members were able to incorporate their own family designs into their face and body paint in Prey. Now, Myers reveals that Naru's name is imbued with its own Comanche meaning.

In a recent interview with Vulture, Myers, who is Comanche and Blackfoot, explains that Naru's name in the original script was Kee, which means "no" in Comanche. After Myers was brought on as a producer, however, she suggested that Kee be changed to Naru, because "naru" means "fight" in Comanche. Myers explains that, in Comanche culture, names are given for things one does, and since Naru spends the film fighting to be a hunter and fighting with the members of her tribe, it ultimately suits her better. Check out Myers' full comment below:

"After I joined, Dan, Patrick, and I started working with the script. Naru means 'fight' in Comanche, but originally her name was Kee, and 'kee' means 'no.' They were really open to letting me infuse it more and to change it because after I read the script and read that she’s a fighter, she’s fighting for the ability to hunt, she’s fighting other people in her hunting party and everything, I was like, 'You know, that name suits her better than ‘no.’' When we get our names, it’s for something that you do rather than a command. We tried to create a backstory for her. It was great that we were able to change those things."

The willingness to let Myers change details in the script seems to be representative of Prey's general approach to the Comanche elements in the film, which is to defer to experts and members of the culture to ensure authenticity. While most audiences won't know the significance of the name "Naru" over the name "Kee," the small detail is ultimately part of what has elevated the new Predator film above many of its predecessors. Myers doesn't elaborate on the meaning behind some of the other Comanche names in the script, but it's possible that they also have meanings unique to each of the characters.

In addition to serving as a thrilling, violent, and cinematic addition to the Predator franchise, Prey is also clearly steeped in rich Comanche culture. Native Americans, in general, remain woefully underrepresented in Hollywood and many past depictions of the culture have presented a mostly surface-level view, often from a White perspective. While Prey is thrilling and entertaining in its own right, comments from Myers and Midthunder continue to add new layers to the film by shedding light on the production's thoughtful filmmaking approach.