Berserker Predator: Profile Of Mr. Black

The Berserker Predator, also referred to as Mr. Black, was the biggest and most prominent Predator from Predators (2010). He belonged to the Super Predator faction, an offshoot of the Yautja species known for ruthless hunting and a disregard for the traditional codes of honor. Throughout his campaign on the Game Preserve Planet, he engaged in multiple confrontations with both humans and another Yautja, and ultimately met his end in a decisive battle.

The Leading Super Predator

Berserker rose to lead his clan of Super Predators on the Game Preserve Planet. He was characterized by exceptional size and strength, towering above many of his kin, and by his rejection of traditional Yautja hunting rituals. Under his command, the three Super Predators (with Falconer and Tracker) abducted human prey from Earth and other worlds, bringing them to the preserve for sport. Berserker got his nickname "Mr. Black" from the black bio-mask, decorated with a lower jaw of an unknown creature.

Capturing The Crucified Predator

Before the events seen in Predators (2010), Berserker encountered the traditional Yautja known as the Crucified Predator, sometimes referred to as the Classic Predator. In the short animated film "Crucified", this Yautja was hunted down by the three Super Predators with the help of Yautja dogs. The captive had been restrained and displayed by the Super Predators as a symbol of their superiority over the older clan on Jungle Hunters. Berserker sought to reinforce that dominance by keeping the rival Yautja imprisoned, while he witnessed their hunt of the humans later. This act highlighted the Civil War between the two factions, although the reason for the conflict is not entirely clear.

Hunting Drake

Before the arrival of Royce’s group, Berserker Predator hunted a United States Navy SEAL named Drake, who had been transported to the Game Preserve Planet after a failed mission in Afghanistan. Awakening in freefall, Drake landed in a dense alien jungle where his team was quickly slaughtered by a Predator. Determined to fight back, Drake captured a Predator using traps and stolen weapons, but Berserker and his fellow Super Predators soon appeared, killing the captive creature and confronting Drake. Despite his efforts, Berserker overpowered him and ended the battle with a shot from his Plasmacaster, leaving Drake’s body as another trophy of the hunt.

Hunting The Game Preserve Outcasts

The Game Preserve Planet hosted a group of human survivors who had been abducted and dropped there to serve as prey. Berserker orchestrated their pursuit with cold precision, using deception, traps, and psychological tactics. Further, he had the help of Falconer Predator's drone and the attack dogs of Tracker Predator. On one occasion he used a corpse as bait to lure the humans into an ambush. His strategies focused on dividing and isolating the group, allowing his clan to eliminate them one by one.

Killing Stans

Walter Stans, a death-row inmate, confronted Berserker in an act of desperation after initially escaping from the Super Predators. He leaped onto the Predator’s back and stabbed him repeatedly, momentarily halting the advance. Berserker retaliated by throwing Stans aside and executing him in a brutal fashion. He tore out the man’s spine for a trophy, while Stans swore in defiance. However, this was the only trophy the Super Predators claimed during this hunt.

Fight With The Crucified Predator

The hunt of the outcasts did not go as planned, and Tracker and Falconer Predators fell in battle. After the Crucified Predator was freed by the human Royce, the traditional Yautja reclaimed his gear and was determined to fight back at the remaining Super Predator. Berserker immediately engaged him in combat. The released Yautja, weakened from captivity, still gave a good fight against Berserker’s strength. The two clashed in a fierce duel that ended when Berserker disarmed and decapitated his opponent. Mr. Black then blew up Crucified Predator's ship which Royce hoped to escape the planet with.

Fight With Royce

Following the duel, Berserker turned his attention to Royce and the remaining human survivors, Isabelle and Edwin. Royce used explosives and deception to injure Berserker, setting grenades beneath a fallen comrade’s body as a trap. The blast severely wounded Berserker but did not kill him. Isabelle then shot him in the chest with a sniper rifle, weakening him further. Mr. Black then shot a wristblade into the shoulder of Isabelle, effectively immobilizing her.

Death Of Berserker Predator

Berserker met his death in a similar way as the Crucified Predator only minutes before. Despite his strength, he was overwhelmed by Royce’s persistence and ingenuity. In the final confrontation, Royce shattered Berserker’s mask, cut off his arm, and decapitated him with a Yautja axe. His decapitated body and severed head remained in the Super Predator camp, as no trophy was taken. Royce and Isabelle would seek new ways to get off the planet, and as seen in Predator: Hunting Grounds, at least Isabelle succeeded.

Berserker Predator Vision

The Berserker Predator possessed a highly advanced vision system that allowed him to dominate prey on the Game Preserve Planet. His bio-helmet featured sharper contrast thermal vision modes and a red lock-on triangle that enhanced target acquisition. He also used a pulse-detection mode to pick out heartbeat signatures, enabling him to track his adversaries even when their heat signatures were masked by terrain. However, Royce was able to trick his vision by using mud on his body and fire around the camp.

Armor And Gear

Berserker’s armor differed from that of traditional Yautja hunters. It was larger, darker, and featured the lower jawbone of an unknown Alien creature attached to his helmet. In later Predator lore, many Predators were introduced with bone masks, including the Feral Predator. His mandibles were long and swept outward, and his helmet was elongated and angular to cover his unusual face. Berserker had a direct link to Crucified Predator's ship's self-destruct device, meaning that his wrist gauntlet was able to hack the connection.

Weapons

Berserker possessed a somewhat traditional, but advanced Yautja arsenal. His primary ranged weapon was an enhanced plasmacaster with rapid charge and rotation functions. He used a single long wrist blade that could be detached and launched as a projectile. He carried an advanced cloaking system, which rendered him almost completely invisible, and his vision had advanced targeting capabilities. His hunting style favored raw strength and technological superiority. It is now known if Berserker had his own self-destruct device and if he was willing to use it, if he had the chance.

Behind The Scenes

Berserker Predator was portrayed by actor Brian Steele. The production team created multiple suits and helmets to capture different stages of combat and damage. Concept artists described the Super Predators as an evolution of the Yautja species, representing a more brutal and feral design philosophy. However, this was the continuation of the "bigger and badder" Yautja subspecies trope that plagued several Predator movies, and started in the first AvP movie.

Conclusion

Berserker Predator, also known as Mr. Black, was the leader of the Super Predators on the Game Preserve Planet. He hunted both humans and rival Yautja with the help of his two clan brothers, Tracker, and Falconer. Against the Crucified Predator, Mr. Black went into "Berserker" rage mode and defeated his opponent, but was defeated by Royce soon after. Berserker is one of the tallest Predators in Yautja lore, but is overshadowed by many more muscular Yautja.

Tag Categories: Individual Predators, Predators From The Movies