So in our recent interview with Bryan Thomas Schmidt, the editor of Predator: If It Bleeds (http://www.avpgalaxy.net/2017/10/01/interview-predator-bleeds-editor-bryan-thomas-schmidt-avpgalaxy-podcast-56/), he revealed that Titan would be doing a novelization of The Predator!
No further information as of yet.
I wonder if Christopher Golden is writing it?
Perhaps. Bryan did say it was one of Titan's usual authors.
I generally like Golden's writing. His Shadow Saga books are great reads.
https://bnccatalist.ca/ViewTitle.aspx?id=11867722
By Christopher Golden
Release Date: August 8th 2018
That link also mentions a prequel novel as well.
Interesting. Christopher Golden also contributed to the script for the Hellboy reboot... *vomits* I'm curious to at least hear about this, though. There's always some interesting deviations or bits left over from old drafts.
Release Date shifted to Sept 18th.
I like that they've gone back to novelising the films. After Requiem and Prometheus I was worried it was a thing of the past.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Feb 27, 2018, 10:08:05 AM
I like that they've gone back to novelising the films. After Requiem and Prometheus I was worried it was a thing of the past.
To be fair I don't think anyone was exactly volunteering to novelize Requiem.
According to Cerasini (AVP author, in Hicks' interview with him), he was offered the job, but it was so last minute he turned it down.
QuoteAvPG – To our knowledge the sequel, AvP Requiem, was never considered for novelisation — did you hear any differently? Were you ever approached?
MC – I am likely the reason there was no tie-in novel to Requiem. I was in the middle of a deadline for one of the Coffeehouse Mysteries I write with my wife as Cleo Coyle, and HarperCollins called with an offer. They just got the absolute positively certain final script—they were still sorry about the previous mess—and they wanted to know if I was interested in writing the tie in for Requiem.
I was very interested, but they could only give me two to three weeks to write it, starting that day! As I was on another deadline for an original novel, I regretfully declined. Apparently they found no author willing to write on such a tight deadline—a shame because my AvP tie in was a USA Today bestseller as well as a NY Times bestseller, and I am certain the second novelization would do nearly as well.
AvPG – What are your thoughts on the Alien and Predator series following Paul Anderson's Alien vs. Predator? Did you like the later movies?
MC – When I finally saw Requiem I was glad I did not write the tie in—not because I hated it, but because there were a lot of characters I would have had to deepen and expand, as novels are more internal than movies. Such complexities would be impossible on a three-week deadline.
Generally, though, I thought the second movie was weak, and that bringing the Aliens to 21st Century America a huge mistake.
Predators, while not great, was an improvement over number two. In my honest opinion, none of the AvP movies were as good as the early scripts to the first film that were not used, or even some of the comics.
https://www.avpgalaxy.net/website/interviews/marc-cerasini/
Haven't read that interview with him yet, but his response to Requiem is pretty on-the-nose. Doing the interior for the characters of that film in the span of a novel in less than three weeks is insane. He would've had to live and breath that script, and the prospect of that alone sounds horrendous beyond the fact that he was already busy. It's too bad though because AvPR would be an interesting novelization in terms of a character interiors. That being said, I now realize Ricky would probably be irritating to read. Although the writing of that character might be fun.
And that's not even mentioning that there was, what, ten major characters in that movie? It was a lot, I recall that much.
Novelization cover is up.
(https://bnccatalist.ca/images/catImages/title/436945/9781785658051_tnmd.jpg)
I wonder if this is based on the script or the reshot movie.
The script probably.
It depends how long ago Black rewrote it and when they started writing. It's not unusual for film novelizations to have a quick turnaround. Interesting that there's another author now credited on it.
Excited for this and the prequel
Anyone pre-ordered this?
I suspect it might fill in the blanks after watching the movie.
I'm hoping it straightens the plot out a bit more. Really looking forward to reading it, actually.
Apparently the movie rushes along at a breakneck speed so I hope the novelization gets into the characters' heads a bit more. And I really loved the pred perspective sections in Hunters and Hunted, so if we get some of those, maybe it'll help us understand Fugitive's murky motivations.
Quote from: felix on Sep 12, 2018, 11:44:00 AM
Anyone pre-ordered this?
I suspect it might fill in the blanks after watching the movie.
I pre-ordered from amazon. Hoping this novel redeems the story.
With how many reshoots/re-writes/deleted scenes/studio-mandated edits this thing has gone through, I pity the poor soul who has to adapt it; the AVP novelization'll be one-to-one by comparison.
Personally I think Mark Morris was called on to deal with the edits following the reshoots.
Would explain how he just suddenly cropped up without preamble when the cover was released.
Ordered this together with Davids Drawings. Did not love the movie but still very interested in reading this.
Looking forward to this after seeing the film last night! :D
Will be interesting to see what gets expounded upon :)
Ya I really hope it expands upon the
Spoiler
fugitive and enhanced Preds motivations and backstory!
Quick side note the four armed predator in the "Predators" sequel comic is more plausible now
Spoiler
knowing that the Preds are into genetic manipulation.
Please don't remind me of that goro garbage.
Goro... ;D
"Subterranean? Is that something like underground?" :laugh:
Quote from: The Old One on Sep 15, 2018, 02:35:58 PM
Please don't remind me of that goro garbage.
LOL sorry not sorry! No but I thought that it was a pretty silly choice at the time but after the seeing the movie I was like welp there's your explanation for goro pred haha
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Sep 15, 2018, 02:17:42 PM
Quick side note the four armed predator in the "Predators" sequel comic is more plausible now Spoiler
knowing that the Preds are into genetic manipulation.
100% CANON.
Wasn't there also a giant, four-armed Predator in the Superman & Batman vs Aliens & Predator comics as well? Even more canon! :laugh:
There's a preview clip of the audiobook reading up on Downpour. They got the same guy reading both the prequel novel and this, which is nice. I appreciate it when they do that sort of thing.
https://www.downpour.com/the-predator?sp=233690
Quote from: Kailem on Sep 15, 2018, 06:26:21 PM
Wasn't there also a giant, four-armed Predator in the Superman & Batman vs Aliens & Predator comics as well? Even more canon! :laugh:
There was also an action figure of a four-armed Predator planned for the Hive Wars toyline, had it continued.
Are all the Yautja practicising genetic enhancement on themselves? Any indication as to how long it's been going on?
That preview clip confirms the novel follows the new 3rd act unfortunately.
Quote from: EJA on Sep 16, 2018, 10:46:56 AM
Are all the Yautja practicising genetic enhancement on themselves?
Considering none of the predators outside of the ones on The Predator did that, I'm don't think so. That might be expanded if there is a sequel and I doubt the next books will care about mentioning that concept.
Quote from: EJA on Sep 16, 2018, 10:46:56 AM
Are all the Yautja practicising genetic enhancement on themselves? Any indication as to how long it's been going on?
There's a bit in the prequel novel from the pred's POV where its ruminating on how it has made some discoveries back home that seem to indicate someone is f**king with the species genome, but then it decides not to worry about the troubling implications of that at the moment and just enjoy the hunt.
That's interesting. In the movie
Spoiler
it does sort of seem like Assassin isn't being experimented on willingly when McKenna sees the little clip through the helmet.
It's unclear in the film but from what I remember of the script it's supposed to be Fugitive.
That might make more sense. I'm sure the novel will clear it up.
Indeed.
My copy will be here tomorrow.
Truth be old I haven't finished reading the prequel novel yet, I'm not sure if I'll finish that first or dive right into the novelization.
Kindle edition is available for download!
Huh. I just checked and its been put back to the 25th on my Kindle app.
Barnes & Noble has an excerpt.
https://read.barnesandnoble.com/book/the-predator-the-official-movie-novelization/body002#37
And the audiobook is out too on audible & others!
So I decided I wasn't going to do any work this afternoon and brought the book and installed Kindle on my PC. According to Kindle I'm about 25% through the novelization. No significant changes so far. It does get the date of Predator 2 wrong though.
In fairness, the novelisation of Predator 2 got the date of Predator 2 wrong :P
Ha. This book reckons 2005.
Just skipped to the end.
Spoiler
No Predator Killer in this.
50% better than the film now.
Does anything come out of the pod?
Not sure yet. It just ends after the Upgrade fight.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Sep 18, 2018, 02:57:12 PM
In fairness, the novelisation of Predator 2 got the date of Predator 2 wrong :P
I don't remember and I'm at work so I can't check, what date does the novelization give?
Does the movie even give a date within the movie itself?
On-screen text in the film says it's 1997. Books says '95.
Just got my copy in today! Skipped to the end 👌
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Sep 18, 2018, 05:14:39 PM
On-screen text in the film says it's 1997. Books says '95.
I genuinely don't remember there being on-screen text.
I guess I have an excuse to re-watch the movie!
I thought it peculiar they didn't exploit that date for the plot of the new film.
It seems quite the coincidence that a Predator visited Earth in 1987, 1997 and then 2017.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Sep 18, 2018, 07:02:35 PMI genuinely don't remember there being on-screen text.
I guess I have an excuse to re-watch the movie!
It's right at the very start. "Los Angeles, 1997".
"THE FUTURE!"
(Disclaimer: Small chance that last part is personal embellishment :P)
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Sep 18, 2018, 07:10:56 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on Sep 18, 2018, 07:02:35 PMI genuinely don't remember there being on-screen text.
I guess I have an excuse to re-watch the movie!
It's right at the very start. "Los Angeles, 1997".
"THE FUTURE!"
(Disclaimer: Small chance that last part is personal embellishment :P)
Because it's a distant sequel to Marked for Death.
(https://i.imgur.com/3dXl1Rp.jpg)
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 18, 2018, 02:57:54 PM
Ha. This book reckons 2005.
Just skipped to the end.
Spoiler
No Predator Killer in this.
50% better than the film now.
Hm...if that's the case I might end up picking this up. Any significant differences in the characterizations?
I think the novelisation could be superior just by providing more Fugitive and Upgrade PoV
I agree, I pretty much hung onto every word in those Predator POV sections. Found them so fascinating, especially in the lab scene and the scene where the couple was walking their dog...
Spoiler
I never imagined a Predator would actually eat human flesh. That was surprising!
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 18, 2018, 02:57:54 PM
Just skipped to the end.
Spoiler
No Predator Killer in this.
50% better than the film now.
DAMAGE CONTROL CONFIRMED.
Its like Covenant novel all over again.
Quote from: Wysps on Sep 19, 2018, 01:46:53 AM
I agree, I pretty much hung onto every word in those Predator POV sections. Found them so fascinating, especially in the lab scene and the scene where the couple was walking their dog...
Spoiler
I never imagined a Predator would actually eat human flesh. That was surprising!
They're getting revenge for Cadillac's "banquet" in the Rodriguez script. :laugh:
Does Edward James Olmos character appear in the novelization?
My copy has arrived! :D
Quote from: Samhain13 on Sep 19, 2018, 01:49:45 AM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 18, 2018, 02:57:54 PM
Just skipped to the end.
Spoiler
No Predator Killer in this.
50% better than the film now.
DAMAGE CONTROL CONFIRMED.
Its like Covenant novel all over again.
Damage control how? I'm pretty sure the very end was part of the reshoots, and didn't exist when the novelization was written.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Sep 19, 2018, 03:11:46 AM
Quote from: Samhain13 on Sep 19, 2018, 01:49:45 AM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 18, 2018, 02:57:54 PM
Just skipped to the end.
Spoiler
No Predator Killer in this.
50% better than the film now.
DAMAGE CONTROL CONFIRMED.
Its like Covenant novel all over again.
Damage control how? I'm pretty sure the very end was part of the reshoots, and didn't exist when the novelization was written.
It was just a joke. It's good that wasn't included like how in Covenant's novel David didn't make the alien. And I think the novelization is following the new 3rd act, otherwise someone would have mentioned the friendly predators.
I believe the ending was those extra 2 days of reshoots after the bulk reshoots.
So the book never explains what Fugitive was bringing to Earth?
I don't know yet. I've not had a chance to read any more.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 19, 2018, 05:51:17 AM
I believe the ending was those extra 2 days of reshoots after the bulk reshoots.
That's what I'm gathering, especially with how slapped on and disconnected that scene feels. Definitely seems like a rushed last minute decision that was outside of Blacks creative control.
Guys, I apologize but I didn't see this forum before posting my review under the movie forum.
Sorry for those as anxious for the novelization as I was, but it's a huge let down.
Spoiler
If you were anything like me, you wanted to understand more regarding:
Predator Motivation / Perspective
Additional character background (Traeger, Loonies, etc)
Supplementary Action/ Deleted Scenes (Extended fight scenes, consulting allied predators, etc)
Insight into the "predator killer"
Well, I can tell you that you won't find any of the above with the exception of the deleted scene with the sex offender and Traeger's speech regarding acquisition. The Loonies are given less material than the F-22 pilot and radar technician. The action is horribly-defined as well...the Fugitive vs. Upgrade is mostly "off-page". Even more infuriating is, since the "predator killer" is omitted from the book and there is less than one chapter from the Fugitive's perspective, the storyline makes even less sense.
Even more frustrating is that the prequel novel (vastly superior to the novelization) does not tie into The Predator at all except to give background on Traeger. The tie in of having 2 predators escape custody from the same location is just...yeah I'm out of words.
Save your money on this one guys but I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.
Quote from: EJA on Sep 19, 2018, 10:00:30 AM
So the book never explains what Fugitive was bringing to Earth?
Spoiler
Nope...very poorly written. I'll read it again for additional insight but the book reads like an unfinished script which is quite appropriate and understandable considering the resulting film.
Does the line "Come and get us Mother..." appear in the book?
Quote from: felix on Sep 20, 2018, 02:26:18 AM
Does the line "Come and get us Mother..." appear in the book?
sigh, yes, it's the ending scene
I was at the Titan Books facebook page and a poster asked if Titan had any plans to publish the Predator/Predator 2 novelization.
Here was their reply.
"Our Predator publishing program is ongoing, however we haven't got any confirmed titles that we can talk about at this time."
Quote from: felix on Sep 20, 2018, 05:15:44 AM
I was at the Titan Books facebook page and a poster asked if Titan had any plans to publish the Predator/Predator 2 novelization.
Here was their reply.
"Our Predator publishing program is ongoing, however we haven't got any confirmed titles that we can talk about at this time."
That's unfortunate. I've been holding off on buying used copies of those in the hopes that Titan will republish them...
Or at least republish the second one and give us a Predator novelization that actually reflects the film.
At least there's still hope. They did say their Predator publishing programs is still on going.
Hopefully we''l get the Predator/Predator 2 novelizations in the future. For me i am hoping for another Predator Omnibus including South China Sea.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Predator 2 novelisation really deserves a reprint.
I don't see the point in Omnibus' tbh, I just want the good ones.
The DH Press ones are really hard to acquire though. A reprint or omnibus would be great.
I really loved the Prequel novel and will receive the movie novelization soon.
Quote from: Wweyland on Sep 20, 2018, 07:26:07 PM
The DH Press ones are really hard to acquire though. A reprint or omnibus would be great.
I really loved the Prequel novel and will receive the movie novelization soon.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how the Prequel transitions into the film / Novelization.
Quite honestly I felt that there was no connection whatsoever, except to introduce Stargazer and Traeger. However, the events of the prequel appear to have had no impact on the film / novelization. I personally found many continuity issues.
After a week of not really being in the mood to continue reading, I did another 100 pages over the weekend. Unfortunately it doesn't expand on the Predator side of things so far but it does fill in some of the gaps on the human side.
From all reports, as the film- I won't be picking up this one.
I just finished this. There were a few minor plot holes filled and a few scenes that differed from the film. Very few Predator dispositions which is disappointing. Characterization was also kind of lacking as I felt the film did a better job of making me care for the characters. Now I'm just looking forward to the next 3 issues of Hunters 2!
Was anyone else bothered that the whole motivation for the fugitive and upgrade wasn't explained in the novel?
For those who read this:
Is the Upgrade described the same way as the movie? Genetically modified 10 foot tall predator?
Is autism still referred as the next step on human evolution?
Is global warming and predators wanting to invade Earth mentioned the same way as the movie?
Is it ever said that the Fugitive brought a gift to humanity?
Quote from: Trevelyan on Sep 24, 2018, 08:36:49 PM
Was anyone else bothered that the whole motivation for the fugitive and upgrade wasn't explained in the novel?
Spoiler
Ya it almost seemed more coincidental that the fugitive crashed on Earth. It seemed to frame it as the fugitive was being experimented on, escaped custody, stole a ship and crashed here. And the Upgrade was sent to retrieve it all and whilst tracking, gained an interest/appreciation for Rory's intellect and decided he'd be a good specimen to take.
That's kind of how I interpreted what was happening.
I finished it last night. It's slightly better than the movie. Slightly.
I need to finally get around to reading this. I've had it for a week, but I still haven't opener it up yet.
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Sep 25, 2018, 05:09:03 PM
Quote from: Trevelyan on Sep 24, 2018, 08:36:49 PM
Was anyone else bothered that the whole motivation for the fugitive and upgrade wasn't explained in the novel?
Spoiler
Ya it almost seemed more coincidental that the fugitive crashed on Earth. It seemed to frame it as the fugitive was being experimented on, escaped custody, stole a ship and crashed here. And the Upgrade was sent to retrieve it all and whilst tracking, gained an interest/appreciation for Rory's intellect and decided he'd be a good specimen to take.
That's definitely the impression I'm getting so far too. Might not have been such a bad take on it.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 27, 2018, 08:00:40 AM
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Sep 25, 2018, 05:09:03 PM
Quote from: Trevelyan on Sep 24, 2018, 08:36:49 PM
Was anyone else bothered that the whole motivation for the fugitive and upgrade wasn't explained in the novel?
Spoiler
Ya it almost seemed more coincidental that the fugitive crashed on Earth. It seemed to frame it as the fugitive was being experimented on, escaped custody, stole a ship and crashed here. And the Upgrade was sent to retrieve it all and whilst tracking, gained an interest/appreciation for Rory's intellect and decided he'd be a good specimen to take.
That's definitely the impression I'm getting so far too. Might not have been such a bad take on it.
Ya I prefer it to fugitive coming to earth to leave a "gift for humanity". But now I think "the gift" was more of a f**k You to the upgrade pred's clan (something akin to setting off a wrist nuke) and fugitive stole it in the first place in order to stand a chance against the Upgrade. Maybe I'm grasping at straws but the novelization made me consider that.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 27, 2018, 08:00:40 AM
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Sep 25, 2018, 05:09:03 PM
Quote from: Trevelyan on Sep 24, 2018, 08:36:49 PM
Was anyone else bothered that the whole motivation for the fugitive and upgrade wasn't explained in the novel?
Spoiler
Ya it almost seemed more coincidental that the fugitive crashed on Earth. It seemed to frame it as the fugitive was being experimented on, escaped custody, stole a ship and crashed here. And the Upgrade was sent to retrieve it all and whilst tracking, gained an interest/appreciation for Rory's intellect and decided he'd be a good specimen to take.
That's definitely the impression I'm getting so far too. Might not have been such a bad take on it.
They make you reach for this rationale, but hey I'm digging it much more than the film's "gift"!
Finally finished this and it's been a while since a read a novel that has been this badly phoned-in. Both authors just seem completely bored and want to get through it as quickly as possible. Some really random character exposition on minor players like a radar operator and one of Traeger's red-shirts, yet nothing whatsoever on any of the main cast. Most of the trimmed dialogue from the trailers is reinserted here but no real new scenes of note, aside from how fugitive dies and is hanged by the Upgrade. Funny how the best comedic scenes from the movie like the shotgun scene and the painting scene are missing too.
The saddest thing is that is just has no cohesion with the prequel novel. I get that this would not even be on Shane Black's radar but man Traeger was a completely different character between the two books.
A dead horse now.
Not worth your time folks.
Well shit I only recently ordered these at the local sci fi book store. Guess I'm still gonna have to read them.
Quote from: Frosty Venom on Oct 05, 2018, 02:07:26 PMWell shit I only recently ordered these at the local sci fi book store. Guess I'm still gonna have to read them.
If "them" also refers to the prequel novel, fear not - that was a decent read.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Oct 05, 2018, 02:50:09 PM
Quote from: Frosty Venom on Oct 05, 2018, 02:07:26 PMWell shit I only recently ordered these at the local sci fi book store. Guess I'm still gonna have to read them.
If "them" also refers to the prequel novel, fear not - that was a decent read.
Yes, that one I'm quite keen on.
But still gotta support the franchise I love so I'll be getting both and will give them both a chance.
Quote from: TheBATMAN on Oct 05, 2018, 12:46:07 PM
Finally finished this and it's been a while since a read a novel that has been this badly phoned-in. Both authors just seem completely bored and want to get through it as quickly as possible. Some really random character exposition on minor players like a radar operator and one of Traeger's red-shirts, yet nothing whatsoever on any of the main cast. Most of the trimmed dialogue from the trailers is reinserted here but no real new scenes of note, aside from how fugitive dies and is hanged by the Upgrade. Funny how the best comedic scenes from the movie like the shotgun scene and the painting scene are missing too.
Couldn't agree more. I've read the first 100 pages of this book. Here are some thoughts so far.
- The first sentence is just the word, "Space." Generally, the writing at the syntactic level is clunky and relies a lot on full stops to influence the pace the reader is absorbing it and to create emphasis, particularly with a heavy use of fragments. That's fine, but it happens
constantly through the first few chapters. There's also a ton of lineation (case in point, pg. 14 when "A spaceship." is its own paragraph for emphasis), which is a fundamental element of poetry...not prose. There are a lot of weird parentheticals everywhere. The use of present tense for scenes in which a Predator is a focalizing character is unnecessary, and it comes through rough in chapter 9 when there are paragraphs that alternate back and forth between Rory and the Upgrade. Also, in this scene, for some reason there's inconsistency in that some of the Predator moments become italicized for no discernible reason. Then the formatting actually breaks to a new scene, which is just the same scene with Rory. There have even been a few typos, which...come on. That's not a nitpick at all; this is a professionally printed book within a licensed property, not a self-published endeavor. Editors get paid to fix this shit, so that when
we pay for it we get a polished piece of writing. That's just pure laziness, and I don't really accept the excuse that this book may have been under a time crunch. We learn to proofread when we're children. After Bug Hunt, I'm not willing to cut Titan any slack in this department.
- I disagree with the choice of the two writers they've used here, Golden & Morris. I'm predicting that they're going to have a hard time conveying the humorous tone that the film asserts as I move forward with this read. When Shane Black's dialogue is unaltered in the novelization, I find the one-liner style to be a bit inconsistent with everything else that comes through somewhat flat. The comic relief feels incongruous, which I did not feel was the case for the movie.
- As mentioned, it gets the year of Predator 2 wrong as 2005 on pg. 75. There couldn't be a more simple detail to get right, to be honest. It's in giant white letters at the beginning of Predator 2.
- The narrative's outlook on Autism Spectrum Disorder is introduced on pg. 33: "Once [Rory's] mom had said she thought neuro-typical people were like cavemen, and kids like Rory were the future of humanity." Looking to see how this comes up in oncoming passages as I read more.
- Paged ahead and saw that a character was named Bruce Willis. :laugh:
- There are an assortment of awkward, mismatched, or distracting similes in the first 3rd of the book. Here are my favorites so far:
1.
QuotePg. 12: "Seconds later, another SUV, as black and highly polished as the first, shimmered from the heat haze, as if beamed down from the USS Enterprise."
2.
QuotePg. 89: "She was relieved when Traeger's aide, Sapir, appeared, rushing up to them with a look on his face like his grandmother's ghost had just whispered sweet nothings in his ear."
3. (this one is so amazing I've been text messaging a screenshot of the page to people)
QuotePg. 2: "Sparking and hissing, the ship's been through hell and when it hits the outer limits of Earth's atmosphere there's a whump of resistance, like someone's awkward dad just did a belly flop into the swimming pool."
- In terms of differences from the film, I haven't noticed much, but regarding the character of Shawn Keyes:
Spoiler
There is dialogue that explicitly indicates he is the son of someone who had been part of a contact team, but Peter Keyes isn't named (although Casey looks at a photo and describes their strong familial resemblance). Also, Shawn Keyes gets decapitated by the Predator, and a nameless tech takes his place from the movie where he says to Casey that 'it can't get away' as she makes her escape.
Mark Morris has confirmed in an interview what we all suspected to be the case - his involvement in the book did indeed constitute rewriting the original draft so that it matched the film's altered screenplay.
Here (https://scifibulletin.com/books/horror/interview-mark-morris-new-fears-2/).
I am also slogging through this slowly, about 100 pages to go.
It's the same case as with the Alien: Covenant prequel/novelization, absolutely no connection between the books (and those were even from the same author!).
Is it Sean Keyes or Shawn Keyes? I think the prequel and novelization have it differently.
Still haven't started this yet. Still working through the omnibus.
Finally finished this and was not impressed.
The book is obviously a rush job full of small mistakes in editing and inconsistencies with the movie.
I think the biggest error was that the book said the Fugitive Ship location at the end of the movie was the same location where McKenna met the Fugitive at the start of the movie (Mexico).
On a positive side, it did explain some of the rushed plot points of the movie like where certain characters got vehicles, guns and moved from one location to another. Now I am interested in watching the movie again.