Shane Black has given us a number of tid-bits regarding his upcoming Predator sequel, but while solid plot points remain under wraps, the director is now beginning to talk at length, and reveal more about the project.
In an interview with JoBlo, Black – who played Hawkins in the 1987 original – talks about the importance of acknowledging the events of that first encounter with the titular alien, as well as the approach he is taking and when production will begin.
Black told the site that his film “…has to stand on its own two feet, but our goal is to make sure it acknowledges that, yeah, it is 30 years later in the continuity of the story. In other words, Dutch Schaefer’s patrol, which was attacked and largely slaughtered, happened 30 years ago in the context of the story. It’s referenced, it’s part of the mythology. In that way, it’s more of a sequel than a reboot.”
Talking more broadly about tone of the series (and suggesting a return to the heavy fear and suspense of the original), he says that “I think the Predator movies have slightly veered from typical sci-fi in that there is a sort of thriller aspect to them. I think it should be scary, I think it should be funny, and I think ultimately it should be wondrous and about perceiving things that human beings very seldom get a chance to see… I don’t mean movie audiences I mean characters in the movie.”
In terms of when shooting will begin, Black says: “Right now we’re looking at probably beginning to mid February. I’m heading up to Vancouver in a week or two to go into a serious pre-production, so we’re on the cusp.” With shooting originally scheduled for October 2016 and a distinct lack of any real confirmation, this is good to hear.
Though unconfirmed, James Franco is still believed to be slated to play the lead, Quinn McKenna. We do know that Benicio del Toro recently had to bow out of the project due to scheduling conflicts, and has been replaced by Narcos’ Boyd Holbrook who, Black enthused “…I’ve spent some time with now, he’s just marvellous, he’s amazing.”
Black will direct from a script by The Monster Squad and Night of the Creeps director Fred Dekker. On producing duties are John Davis, Joel Silver and Lawrence Gordon, who produced the original. Fox have lined up a release date of February 9th, 2018.
Words: Kevan Farrow (@KevanX)
