The Predator

Date Released: September 14, 2018 (September 12, 2018 – UK)
Directed By:
Shane Black
Certificate: US: R | UK: 15
Tagline:
The Hunt Has Evolved
Length: 
107mins
Starring:
Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn…
Budget:
$88M

 The Predator (2018)The Predator, known by fans as Predator 4, is the name of the Predator sequel from Shane Black. The script was written by Shane Black and Fred Dekker and was released September 14, 2018 in the United States while the UK got it two days earlier on September 12th.

Official Synopsis

From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home in Shane Black’s explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, 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 young 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.

Cast

  • Boyd Holbrook as Quinn McKenna, a former Marine and Special Forces commando who discovers the existence of the Predators.
  • Olivia Munn as Casey Bracket, an evolutionary scientist and a biologist. Her character is brought in by the CIA to look study the alien creature.
  • Trevante Rhodes as Nebraska Williams, one of the Loonies who Quinn meets on the prison bus.
  • Keegan-Michael Key as Coyle, a man who joins Quinn and Williams to fight the Predators.
  • Sterling K. Brown as William Traeger, a CIA agent who imprisons Quinn but later works together.
  • Jacob Tremblay as Quinn’s autistic son, Rory, who is able to read the Predator language.
  • Yvonne Strahovski as Quinn’s ex-wife Emily and the mother to Rory.
  • Alfie Allen as Lynch, a former Marine who is part of the Loonies group.
  • Thomas Jane as Baxley,  a military veteran from the Afghanistan and Iraq war who has Tourettes.
  • Augusto Aguilera as Nettles, one of the Loonies group.
  • Jake Busey as Sean Keyes, the son of Peter Keyes, from Predator 2 is a scientist for the government agency.
  • Niall Matter as Sapir.

Pre-Production

On June 24, 2014, it was revealed that Shane Black would direct a reboot to Predator. He wrote the treatment for it and Fred Dekker wrote the script. John Davis produced the new Predator film. There was some initial reports that it was going to be a reboot/remake but on June 25, 2014, Shane Black clarified that he will be making a sequel in the Predator series and not a reboot.

Shane Black is no stranger to the franchise having played commando Hawkins in the 1987’s Predator. Most recently, he co-wrote and directed 2013’s Iron Man 3. Whilst promoting The Nice Guys, Shane Black spoke about how he became attached to The Predator, stating he hadn’t initially wanted the job despite Fox getting in contact and asking him to do it. It was Fox’s willingness to make a big budget, “spectacle” film that convinced Black to become involved.

 The Predator (2018)

Sterling K Brown, Trevante Rhodes, Boyd Holbrook, Jacob Tremblay, Shane Black, Olivia Munn & Keegan-Michael Key

In August 2015, producer John Davis said Shane Black’s script has a fresh perspective and will reinvent the franchise. At the end of November 2015, Fred Dekker confirmed that the script for Predator 4 had been “turned in”. On the 16th of February 2016, Shane Black confirmed Predator 4’s title was in fact The Predator.

There were rumours circulating for years that Arnold Schwarzenegger might reprise his role as Dutch Schaefer in a Predator film. Schwarzengger had lunch with Black but Schwarzenegger revealed was very unhappy with the script and refused to take part, saying he’d only do it if “there’s a chance that they rewrite it, or make it a more significant role.” His role in the film was going to be very minimal.

 The Predator (2018)

Fugitive Predator

In April 2016, rapper 50 Cent said he would have a role in the Predator film but this never transpired. There were a few different actors in the running for the lead role. Ben Affleck and Bradley Cooper reportedly passed on the lead role. James Franco was in the running at one point. MMA Fighter Conor McGregor was offered the role but turned it down due to money.  Boyd Holbrook replaced Del Toro. Olivia Munn then joined the cast as a scientist in the movie. The character Keyes was played by Jake Busey who happens to be the son of the government agent Peter Keyes from Predator 2. Peter Keyes was played by Gary Busey who is Jake’s father in real-life.

Production

The Predator was originally due to begin filming in September 2016 but that was delayed. Filming commenced in February 20, 2017 and ended filming May 15, 2017 in Vancouver, Canada. Amalgamated Dynamics who are no stranger to the franchise having worked on Alien 3, Alien Resurrection, AvP and AvP Requiem handled the practical effects such as the Predator costume. The Fugitive Predator‘s armour was created by Quantum FX

Post-Production

The visual effects were provided by MPC, Atomic Fiction, Raynault VFX, Rising Sun Pictures and Proof. The Upgrade Predator is the first time in a Predator film that a Predator was a purely CGI creation. Henry Jackman did the score for the film, which took Alan Silvestri’s themes from the original Predator. The film’s soundtrack album was released by Lakeshore Records on September 28, 2018.

 The Predator (2018)

The Upgrade Predator – Most of the third act was reshot during the nighttime.

There were some considerable reshoots during post-production. Most of the third act of the film was reshot due to the poor reaction from the test screenings. Firstly, the Ark was carrying a few hybrid creatures in stasis tubes which escape and the Loonies have to fight them. These scenes were in the test screenings with unfinished visual effects. Two ‘Emissary’ Predators were cut from the finished film. They would have been seen firing mounted guns during an APC chase, battling the Upgrade Predator and the hybrid creatures.

Originally, Edward James Olmos was going to play General Woodhurst working above Traeger’s character. There was a scene showing Olmos in his office and another at the Ark. Originally, the third act was shot during the day time but according to Black, the CGI looked terrible so it was changed to night. Edward James Olmos said his scenes were cut due to pacing issues. None of these deleted scenes were on the DVD/Blu-Ray though you could see some footage in the behind-the-scenes features. Two alternative endings were shot – one showing Ripley in a pod with a breather mask and another with an adult version of Newt in a pod. (See The Predator Deleted Scenes for more info on these missing scenes).

Marketing

The first teaser trailer was shown at Cinemacon in April 2018 and it was later released online on May 10, 2018. On June 26, 2018, a new The Predator trailer was released. On August 31, 2018, 20th Century Fox released the final trailer for The Predator.

Release

On February 28, 2015, Fox announced the release date as March 2, 2018 though this was later changed to February 9, 2018 to avoid clashing with monster shark movie Meg. In April 2017, Fox announced a new release date of August 3, 2018 for the movie, delaying it by six months. The Predator was delayed yet another time and was eventually released September 14, 2018. It had its premiere at TIFF in Toronto.

Sex Offender Controversy

 The Predator (2018)

Olivia Munn

Just hours before The Predator was due to premiere on September 6th, it was reported that 20th Century Fox had cut a scene out at the last minute featuring Steven Wilder Striegel who was a registered sex offender. L.A. Times reported it with statements from actress Olivia Munn, director Shane Black and 20th Century Fox. Fox stated they weren’t aware of Striegel’s background but Shane Black initially tried to defend Striegel, who was a friend of his. Later the same day, Black apologised and said he was ‘misled’ by a friend. Olivia Munn criticised Shane Black for casting him but thanked Fox for deleting the scene.

Munn also criticised her castmates for not giving her any support. On September 8th, The Predator cast members were scheduled to do interviews at TIFF to promote the film. Munn later said a number of them cancelled any interviews along side her and one even walked out of an interview when the deleted scene was mentioned. Olivia Munn said that none of her castmates had reached out to her and criticised them for making her feel like the bad guy. She did an interview with The Hollywood Reporter and she said she felt lonely sitting there by herself and Shane Black hadn’t spoken to her directly but appreciates his public apology.

As part of L.A. Times’ original report, they asked the other castmembers for statements but they refused. Munn said she had contacted them directly and encouraged them to make statements. None of them did but made some comments in the subsequent days. Olivia Munn, Trevante Rhodes and Augusto Aguilera did an video interview with L.A. Times. Rhodes and Aguilera said they weren’t disappointed in Black but more at the situation and thanked Olivia for speaking up. Munn said she didn’t accept Black’s apology because it wasn’t done to her personally.

The next day on September 8th, Keegan-Michael Key issued a statement and said that he wasn’t scheduled to do any interviews with Munn and that he’d reached out to her the previous week to say he was proud of her. Sterling K. Brown also issued a statement apologising to Munn and thanked Fox for deleting the scene. On September 10th. Boyd Holbrook apologised for being quiet but thanked Munn for speaking up. He said he did cancel press interviews on the previous Saturday because he didn’t want to cause any further pain to the victim.

On September 13th, the victim involved in Striegel’s crime came forward and identified herself. She thanked Munn for raising the situation. On September 17th, Jake Busey told Vanity Fair “I think it could’ve been done like a month from now, and let the studio and the director have their night of the release and the movie, and not destroy the movie over a discovery that was made a year after filming—and 10 years after the incident. I think the timing could have been better. The director was in tears at the red carpet, which is not really the way you want it to be. But it’s done, it’s put to bed.” Olivia Munn took to Twitter to criticise Vanity Fair for running the story with Jake Busey and said she wasn’t responsible for putting the story out publicly.

The deleted scene in question would have served as Casey Bracket’s introduction. Striegel played a jogger who bumps into Casey as she is with her dog.

Box Office

The Predator had a budget of $88M. In its first weekend, The Predator came out on top with $24 million domestically while overseas, it made $30.7 million for a worldwide total of $54.7 million. For comparison sake. 2010’s Predators made $24.7m in its opening weekend while AvP Requiem made $10m. They both went on to make around $128m worldwide. The bad news, both those movies were made for around $45m and The Predator cost $88m to make. The Predator ended up making $51M domestically and $109.5m overseas for a worldwide total of $160.5m.

Reception

The Predator currently has a 33% ‘Rotten’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 255 reviews. The film gained a mixed reception with critics. Many praised the characters and the relationships with each other and the film is very gory and graphic despite copious amounts of CGI blood. The film, however, falls apart in the final act – many reviewers said it was rushed, badly edited and the visual effects were poor. The new Upgrade Predator also doesn’t bring much to the table other than being bigger and stronger than a regular Predator.

 The Predator (2018)

Quinn, Nebraska & Casey

Media Releases

The Predator was released on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD formats on December 18, 2018 in America and the UK. As the third act was reshot during the night, Shane Black wanted to include both versions of the media releases – Predator AM and Predator PM but Fox refused as they didn’t want to pay for the visual effects during the daytime version.

Merchandise

A novelization of The Predator, written by Christopher Golden and a prequel novelization called  The Predator: Hunters And Hunted, written by James A. Moore were released shortly after the film came out. NECA released six figures in 2018/2019 based on the Predators seen in the film. Three Fugitives were released, an Assassin Predator and each of the Emissary Predators which were cut from the final film.

The Predator Stills

Fugitive Predator Fugitive Predator
Thermal Vision Thermal Vision
Coyle Coyle
Casey Bracket Casey Bracket
Fugitive Predator Fugitive Predator
Predator Mask Predator Mask
Casey Bracket Casey Bracket
Upgraded Predator Upgraded Predator

You can view more images tagged with Movie - The Predator - Stills here.

The Predator Concept Art

Predator Ship (Victor Martinez) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Victor Martinez) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Victor Martinez) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Victor Martinez) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Victor Martinez) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Victor Martinez) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Victor Martinez) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Milena Zdravkovic) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Milena Zdravkovic) Predator Ship
Predator Ship (Milena Zdravkovic) Predator Ship

The Predator Magazine Articles

Empire (July 2018) Empire (July 2018)
Total Film (August 2018) Total Film (August 2018)
Empire (August 2018) Empire (August 2018)
SciFi Now (September 2018) SciFi Now (September 2018)
SFX (September 2018) SFX (September 2018)
Starburst (September 2018) Starburst (September 2018)

The Predator News Archive

AvP Galaxy Fan Commentary: The Predator ()
The Return of Newt, Ripley & AvP? Performer Breanna Watkins talks “The Predator” Alternate Endings in our Exclusive New Interview! ()
Genetic Aberrations, Revisiting The Predator – AvP Galaxy Podcast #95 ()
CoolProps Unveil Predator Hound Concept Maquette! ()
Writer Fred Dekker Talks Original Third Act for The Predator ()

You can view the full news archive for The Predator here.

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Comments: 444
  1. I think i’m in the tiny minority here. Huge Predator fan and LOVE “The Predator”! did not care for the CGI upgraded Predator much prefer the actual actors (Fugitive Predator and countless others in 1,2,3,4). Olivia Munn is way too HOT!. LOVE and miss the Loonies squad, they were great. In the smallest minority here again, LOVED the ending. Certainly sets up the next chapter, Upgraded Humans vs Predators, set on Earth and/or The Predators home world or both. LOVE The Predators intelligence, TECH and gadgetry!! Get to ‘da’ ‘choppa’! OK, who’s next (ROCK ON Danny!!)? That’s my new suit, bubba!!! Yippee-Ki-Yay, Motherf*cker!! Bring on the next Predator chapters!!


  2. In the YAUTJA honor code it forbids fusing with DNA to enhance, And if they were only bad blood doing it then it did not say in the movie. I could go on for hours of wrong things about this movie. Maybe when I have time I will write here


  3. Hi Nick Finally it seems that someone like that ” movie ” …. I respect that. I respect you and tour friends too
    But we have to say …. Life is full of action too…. ( my is !!!) And it’s not good every day This ” movie ” is full of crap Remember ,88 millions $ for that ????? I give it three poop …..
    My best to you PVC


  4. Hi real Predator fans
    Yes William. No acting. No dialogue. No story. Nothing new Bad music Stupid jokes. Terrible special effects and the dogs …. Holy crap on a cracker …. So terrible. What a poor design Who did that ? You deserve a slap in the face for that …. Of course , a joke , but you have to be punish … No dessert and go to bed immediately. .But it’s really bad I was better at drawing when I was a kid. And there’s worse , coolprops made it. You can buy it for 2000$ And there’s worse … Someone will buy it !!! ( May be ?) no , of course who would buy it ? Seriously ?and the good little pet pay with a ball …. OMG …..and what about predator mask. When I saw the mask months before the movie , I thought , it is going to be bad … Look a this mask , so has been Like an old crapy Rolex Gold color … Bla bla bla techno crap design. Next time place diamonds on it ……or , try pink. the tribal essence of predator … You missed it.
    I miss you Stan Winston …. Where are you mr macTierman ….. Mr Hopkins …..mr silvestri …….
    Please mr black …. Please, leave this franchise alone. 88 millions for that crap ? Seriously ? Yes , I’m still pissed
    ( I know , it’s just movies ) because the franchise is almost dead. Don’t bury it. There’s someone out there with talent. I’m a huge fan of Predator it’s a great monster. No need to make it bigger Shane ….next time , show some respect Respect art , passion , creativity , and …. Fans What a shame Shane …. No idea , no story , no actors … Try something else ….why to make a movie when you have nothing Hey hollywood , We don’t need red carpets , awards , speech , dresses , suits ,hookers , diamonds , Rolex , lights show , limousines , box office , and others crap , we want talent and true movies. Some call it Cinema
    Regards to the fans. You have a brain … Use it. ( No arrogance no insult no aggressively )
    My best PVC


  5. I’ll be honest. I watched until the evolutionary biologist or whatever jumped on top of the moving bus with whatever ‘gun’ she had (just like she just came off the special ops training course) – a little over a half hour into the movie then i quit. Way too much estrogen and social issue stuff clogging up my Predator movie. Bullying and mental health and female empowerment are without a doubt very important issues in our society. I just don’t know why hollywood always feels compelled to neuter good testosterone driven madness with them. Being female did add salt to the wound but just the idea of a doctor being called on to take out The Predator is way bad enough – lots of really big guns is what is called for (it looked like she was carrying a tranquilizer gun for God’s sake). The scariest aspect of the film is that i feared at the end of the movie she would not kill it at all but would instead try to make friends with it and tell it all its problems are rooted in white male privilege. I give up you all win. I’ll just go live in a cave and watch re-runs of Eastwood and Schwarzenegger.


  6. acting was bad, corny dialogue . predator hounds looked terrible , they should have used the hounds from “predators “. As much as i love the predator universe , this movie was pretty bad and they need to bury this franchise. Unfortunately it does not cater to todays audience .


  7. I posted a comment when I found out this movie was coming out. I was impressed as usual with the predators using weapons and gadgetry to solve their issues dealing with earth.The deeper issues about civil war and any idea outside of the predator slicing and dicing whenever a new knife is available I leave up to the likes of Shane Black, Fred Dekker, and their freinds. I’m wanting the Blue Ray version, all of the previous movie rebroadcasts and I’m definitely looking forward to the inevitable sequels. Just like I watch The Godfather,The Godfather 2, Goodfellas and Scarface, I will always stop for Predator whenever I see it on my guide.Long tall Sally,she’s so sweet. Predators cooler,yeah.


  8. I’ve always bin a a big fan of everything dealing with the predator. I may not be hard core like most of the fans but I do cosplay as the elder predator in Sacramento with blue dreds. And after hearing all the spoilers even how it ends, I still will go see it full costume wearing my pred armor stilts. I’m looking forward to this movie, because it could be the last if and when Disney decides to cut fox funding on any more predator sequels. Think about it Disney now owns Fox and will only support box office movies and not bombs. It could be the predators final bomb before it explodes to nothingness. Or it could be a hit in the right direction keeping the franchise alive and well for the predators to hunt some more prey. PRED CLAN ELDER OUT.


  9. I am rather upset that their new take is that the Predators are doing genetic modification to make themselves bigger and badder…
    Spoiler

    And am I the only one who got seriously mad with the torture/experiments done on the normal one before he gets out…


  10. At first, it seemed like a cool multiple predator team up to defeat a monster predator. Now, there is one normal predator, that gets his fucking head ripped off. So now its almost like the good guys aren’t going to be fighting a highly intelligent purposeful hunter rather than a beefed up monster. God I hope it’s not as bad as the first avp.


  11. As a Fan I have to say…
    Well, we look at it this way.
    You say “Look We are Making a New Predator Movie” Predator 4,
    We will not tell you anything about it , we will not show you any clips bar one that is the worst we can think of.
    You, The Fans, we will treat you with contempt and not let you know a thing about the Movie.
    Then you will say Come See Our New Movie Predator 4!
    We, the fans will say, why?
    You treat us like dirt and tell us nothing and then want us to spend our money on you!
    I get from all the feedback I have been seeing, hearing, That, that will be a NO Get Lost.

    Simple fact, if you want fans to remain fans then treat them with a bit of respect, Or, You will not have any fans!


  12. Are ALL the people behind this project INCLUDING ESPECIALLY Shane Black just jerks?

    First there are question marks about the script, issues concerning test screening reactions, then there are reshoots and now it appears that the much expected trailer supposedly this month isn’t going to be according Black’s Twitter page uploaded online but only available at Cinemacon and maybe as a trailer in cinemas.

    Well other than the seeming contempt now shown these days by Hollywood to the wider cinema going public in making such movies without any kind of decent and coherent plot that is respectful to the original source material there is NO excuse from 20th Century Fox in NOT having at least an online trailer release. (And if the movie is potentially as crap as rumoured it should never have got the green light.)

    The teaser for Alien Covenant was released 26th December 2016 and the movie itself was released May 2017 in the UK and US.-A gap of 5 months. So on that basis an April trailer would have been consistent with a September cinema release (assuming there’s going to be one instead of straight to DVD/Netflix)

    So for all the negativity, false expectations and hiatus surrounding this and for how it shows disrespect to the people who are interested in this franchise here,20th Century Fox’s audience backbone, to anyone at 20th Century Fox itself that reads this :

    F****** UNACCEPTABLE!!!


  13. Any truth to the rumor that FOX / Disney will release a 60 second spot for THE PREDATOR during the Super Bowl? I heard this – from all places – a source at a collectibles company. I can’t find anything to confirm.


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