DirectorShane Blackis currently out making the rounds on a massive press tour for his latest film, but people seem much more interested in his next project. ThoughThe Nice Guysis a great film, everyone wants to know more about hisPredatorsequel which is due out in early 2018. And he has been kind enough to give some fairly big details about it during this current round of press in the U.K.
First off, speaking withEmpireat a Q&A, the subject ofPredator 4eventually came up.Blackhas been very quiet in regards to specific details, but he finally revealed something about the hero of the film, which sadly will not beArnold Schwarzenegger. Instead, we’ll be getting a brand new hero.
“The hero of the new one, the name I’ve given the guy in Predator right now is Quinn Mackenna. And that may change.”
Arnold Schwarzeneggerplayed Dutch in the original 1987PredatoralongsideBlackwho playedHawkins.Predatorremains one of Arnie’s best turns as a big time action hero, so it is definitely a potential disappointment that the governator won’t be the main focus ofThe Predator.Blackhas had meetings withSchwarzeneggerthough and since this film is a continuation of the franchise and not a reboot, it is very possible and many would say likely thatArnoldwill be back in some capacity.
In addition to the news thatThe Predator’s lead good guy will be namedQuinn Mackenna(which is a very fitting “Predator” hero name),Shane Blackalso gave some insight as to how he plans to go about reinvigorating the franchise and where he is looking for inspiration. As it turns out,Blackhas one of the all time greats,Ridley Scottin mind and is looking at how he handledAliento draw on forThe Predator. Here is whatBlackhad to say in his interview with IGN.
“How can I follow in the footsteps of someone who re-invents and brings that much event-ized quality to a pulp franchise. The worst thing you could hope for in one of these is a shot in bright sunlight of a field and the Predator just kind of walks on and ‘hello’ - you want to do… I keep going back toRidley Scott, the way he captured the alien in that first movie. The sense of mystery and portent. If we could just cut into a little piece of that - that sort of vibe - and then I think there’s humor to be had too. And tonal shifting.”
Blackis known for being able to balance a light tone with serious action going all of the way back toLethal Weapon, which he wrote andThe Nice Guysis very much in the same vein, just without a super violentalien killing machine. The last time we saw the famous creature on screen was inPredatorsin 2010, which did modest box office business and was met with a mixed reception. Aside from a poster, we don’t have any other solid info on casting or anything like that, but we will surely learn more asBlackgets to work once the press tour wraps up forThe Nice Guys.The Predatoris set for release on August 22, 2025.
