Arnold Schwarzenegger turned down The Predator. Arnold spoke last year about meeting with Shane Black to discuss the film but we never heard much after that. In a new interview with YahooMovies about a variety of topics, Arnold was inevitably asked whether or not he would be appearing in Shane Black’s The Predator.
“They asked me, and I read it, and I didn’t like it — whatever they offered. So I’m not going to do that, no. Except if there’s a chance that they rewrite it, or make it a more significant role. But the way it is now, no, I won’t do that.”
From the comment “more significant role“, it sounds like Dutch’s involvement would have been on the minimal side. From what information Alien vs. Predator Galaxy has been able to obtain from the supposed leaked script, Dutch appeared at the very end of the script for a very short cameo with a few lines that sets up a sequel.
Thanks to The Wolverine Predator for the news. Keep checking in with Alien vs. Predator Galaxy for the latest on The Predator! You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the latest on your social media walls. You can also join in with fellow Predator fans on our forums!
Update #1 – Shane Black responded to our very own ThePredatorUK on Twitter regarding the news, saying that: “I spoke with him, I think it was that he didn’t have enough to do. Enough presence in the film.”
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Yes, agreed. I'd rather see an entirely different cast of characters introduced then have it become some sort of bloodline thing. Not to say that it doesn't work to some extent (as is the case in this upcoming film), but having it be a direct descendant of one of the mains would be over-reaching.
Don't forget Patty o' Schaefer, the Irish uncle.
"Ya mean ta tal me, you throw on a beet of mud, and it can't fookin' se yeh? What the shite koyned of alien was this Dutch? You sound like a stook all hopped up on the funny flour. Now give me a snog on the noodle, and let's go on the lash."
And here's his second cousin Vinny Schaefer, he was in the mob in New Joihsee.
In any franchise, if I wanted that kind of predictability I'd watch soaps.
It's black comedy, as are most of Arnie's action movies.
Which is basically what I expect from The Predator, if Shane Black's previous movies are anything to go by. People seem to be blowing this "comedy" thing all out of proportion - the Lethal Weapon films are comedies, but it doesn't stop them also being brutal as hell, especially the first couple that Black wrote.
I love this, because it gives the movie a lightness and it's a big part why it has rewatch value, you can watch Predator on a thursday afternoon, and besides it being a very brutal movie, you don't feel bad at all. Predator 2 also has that, but at times unintentional, to be honest. Predators is the least favourite for me, partly because it feels dead on grim the whole time, there is (almost) no fun exchange between the characters, they all mistrust and don't give a f**k about each others until they... well, die.
I hope The Predator gives us that kind of humour and lightness, not flat out comedy to the point of self parody though, and it think that's all that people are asking for.
"Stick around."
Dutch + comedy, right there in the first movie.
Plus look at it from his perspective, they'd have to pay Arnold an unreasonable amount in comparison to his screen time that he would be there for.
Or he gets paid pittance and then it really isn't worth his while, and then he starts being asked to cameo in loads of things he has no interest in.
There's no point to having Dutch there for two seconds right at the end.
All Predators love challenges but an old man in his 70s(Arnold as Dutch) isn't a challenge. We need men in his 30s or early 40s. Nothing more.
I don't recognize some of the quotes from Black in here so not sure if this is a recent thing he's talked about.
Nahhh
Spoiler
How would it have been if Dutch was in the Peter Keyes role as originally planned (don't get me wrong I like Gary Busey)? Except he didn't die but returned in the sequel, Predators, replacing Adrien Brody (who is not that memorable IMO). And instead of Lawrence Fishburne in Predators it was Danny Glover. One can only dream.
But he was pretty unequivocal: he wants a big role or no role - which is a shame as you'd have thought he'd be up for a bit of fan-service. But I think we can all agree - as awesome as it would be - he doesn't need this movie. Indeed, he doesn't need any movie, only those that he chooses to do.
That's what I was wondering once I found that out too.
He's not getting any younger. So you'd think it would be a now or never thing. Do the whole-lead-A-team bit now, and fill in the back story at the beginning of the movie. But for Arnold to show up with 5 mins left...(he'd be 71 by the time the scene happens via the release next year), add 2-4 years for the next Pred movie that he's sposed to be in....and he's now 72-75...yikes.
If anything, have him in the beginning of the movie....to "retire" and transition his team to a new leader (Holbrook) vs. the original plan...(Have some sort of scene where him and his team are at some retirement "party" so to speak...after a mission...etc...then maybe he shows up in the last 5 mins of the movie....for a final death blow, or to "help" with the final "death blow.."... drop a last line...then be done).
What kind of role was he supposed to have that gets bigger in sequels? Nothing but some sort of tactical adviser comes to mind.
Please get Arnold!
You don't think Black will be making the film he wants to make?
Arguments are thought out, explained, and discussed here. If you say people are "somehow" wrong it's probably because certain arguments make more sense than others. I don't think anyone is ever just deemed wrong and it's left at that. But if you're asking me to not call people's logic flawed, you'll have to be more specific on which arguments those are. I really don't see any "kids in candy stores" who think this will be a guaranteed hit, though. Just people who are optimistic and others who can't see a behind the scenes set photo without calling a kid "smug" and "pathetic."
I'm a pro "Dutch-Pred" guy too in that I like Dutch and wish we had sequels with him. But what good does it do to dwell on what could have been in 1990 when it's 2017 right now?
It seems to be a theme tho, that if those in the "Dutch-Pred" camp, don't fully say "awesome!" and run around like a kid in a candy store to this new Pred movie, that they are somehow flawed or "wrong" etc...
Which is not the case. Believe it or not I'm pro "Dutch-Pred" but will support Black, his movie, and root for the characters he's chosen.
I actually didn't say that, that was Hudafuk. But you used that logic as a basis for your argument. If you don't believe in it, then you don't believe in the argument. So we would be in agreement there.
Low points in the franchise can't be fixed by the extra money studio execs made. And I'm not arguing what should have happened in 1990, I'm arguing what should happen now. Arnold doesn't boost box office results now.
Agreed. And now Alien has Prometheus and Covenant. Movies that didn't need Ripley and introduced new characters and new storylines. It is a good call.
Agreed. But we can only move forward now.
Say what you will about A3 and A4 but they still brought in tons of money. More than P2 and P3.
And at least Alien had Aliens. Predator never had its Aliens.
Big mistake to not follow Dutch back in the early '90s.
I wish everyone had this perspective. But the thread displays more of a "they don't care about what 'most fans' want" argument; a notion I find invalid.
Sounds like a dramatic "struggle" of not getting what one wants which becomes petulant by holding today's filmmaker accountable for what didn't happen in 1990.
Yeah there's nothing inherently wrong with being upset and struggling to face the reality of where the franchise is. I don't think that is the debate. I see something wrong with using baseless claims to say why the decisions being made today aren't proper, especially since fans don't all want Arnold in a central role.
It comes at a high cost in 2017, unfortunately. Arnold isn't the same in the eyes of audiences.
Agreed, that's why I'm looking forward to the new characters Shane is bringing to life.
Though I disagree with you about Predator not being about characters, I don't think the success/failure of its franchise all came down to that one aspect. There's budgets, writing, directing, competition, star power, etc. Plus it's debatable whether following Ripleys journey was even a good thing at all. I found Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection to leave the franchise in a terrible state.
The one that introduced new characters, new storylines and new ideas?
Another Arnie franchise... yes because there are tons of those.
In fact, I like that Predator became a series about the creature, not just another Arnie franchise.
People to this day (as some posts on this board show) wanted a "Dutch" sequel or story line at least for another movie or two. There is nothing "wrong" with that. For as much as I wanted that too...I understand the reality of the situation now too much time has passed, the window is likely closed...to tell that story (unless you really wanted to dig deep and fill in the gaps, which Black and Fox don't seem to want to do...which is fine). Which is the "struggle" for the fans that wanted the "Dutch story"...the reality is we still want it. We love the Predator, the creature that he is...think he's awesome etc...the fans that want the Dutch-story, don't disregard the Predator...so the "struggle" is moving on...seeing this creature, this could have been story...this big missing peice in the franchise...never coming to be...and "us" having to jump on board with the direction this thing is now going.
Keep in mind Alien had worn out the Ripley story...so those fans are allowed to say "okay let's do whatever now". New Universe, new story, this that..."we're good on the Ripley stuff...we got that thing A-Z...we can move on and out..."
Dutch-Predator fans...never got to do that. And it's left a sour taste in our mouth to this day.
And there is nothing "wrong" with that.
Obviously I mean around the time Predator 2 actually came out. Obviously I don't mean a hypothetical Arnie Predator 2 or 3 being released in 2016 or 2017. Which would probably still do well because it's a franchise like Terminator.
I agree with you there. Maybe we will like the new characters in The Predator.
Once again you're totally ignoring the fact Arnie's last few starring roles have hardly set the box office on fire.
Oy, he's not saying that. But it should've been. Would've been wildly more successful. I don't want to root for a damn creature, I want to root for the humans.
Give Arnold a few scenes in this new Predator.