Even though every Predator movie released since 1987’s original has been rated R (the sole exception being 2007’s AVP: Alien vs. Predator, which was rated PG-13) fans of the franchise were initially worried Shane Black’s upcoming reboot would end up on the tamer end of the spectrum. These fears were stoked when it was revealed that child actor Jacob Tremblay had an integral role. It was like, “Is this going to be Predator: The Kiddie Version?”
Black sought to allay fears quickly; during production, he famously quipped via Twitter in February 2017: “And, just to be clear… PG-13 is for pussies. Spines bleed… a lot.” Still, there was a time when we thought The Meg and Slender Man were going to be rated R as well, and we know how those films turned out! (Both were edited into PG-13 offerings in the hopes of grabbing a wider audience).
Well, horror fans can rest easy, as we’ve just gotten word that The Predator will be rated R “for strong bloody violence, language throughout, and crude sexual references.” Sounds good to us! The Predator will finally invade US Theatres on September 14th. Give the trailer and synopsis a look-see below.
Synopsis:
From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home. The universe’s most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.
In addition to Tremblay, The Predator’s sizeable ensemble cast includes Thomas Jane, Jake Busey, Trevante Rhodes, Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn, Keegan-Michael Key, and Augusto Aguilera. Edward James Olmos participated in the production, but his character was completely axed in favour of a concise runtime. Black co-wrote the screenplay for The Predator with Fred Dekker (Night of the Creeps, The Monster Squad).
Words: Josh Millican (@josh_millican)
