“If it Bleeds, We Can Reboot Sequelize it”: Writer/Director Shane Black is Remaking Predator
This falls outside of my typical wheelhouse of “ONLY VIDEO GAMES” but this parcel of news tickled my nerdies too much to go on unwritten about.
Despite Hollywood’s fervor, the entire catalog of 1980’s cinema has not been remade yet. I know, you’re thinking, “I’m pretty sure they already rebooted all of the ‘80’s.” I thought so, too! But after a quick Google fact check, it turns out we’re about twelve movies shy from doing so; as such, 1987’s sci-fi horror classic Predator is next up on the re-chopping block.
With Predator ranking on my short-shortlist of childhood movie faves, I’d be quick to write off Fox’s reboot/make as another hollow cash grab. Except… they chose exactly the right director to helm this project.
Some directors adopted the stylings of '80’s flicks; Shane Black was borne from it. As a writer, Black gave us the first two Lethal Weapon’s and – closer to home for me – the motherfuckin’ Monster Squad. Later in his career, he’d take his penchant for character emphasized plotting behind the lens with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Marvel’s Iron Man 3 (which, hate me if you must, is my favorite Iron Man).
And, even more perfect, the man’s closer to the source material than anyone – he was actually in the original goddamn Predator:
Fox has enlisted Black to write up a treatment for the remake while Monster Squad’s co-writer, Fred Dekker, will draft the official script. I’m almost too excited to see what Black and Dekker (Ha! That was accidental) bring to this infamous hunter’s universe.
The only factor that could spoil the fun is the studio forcing a PG-13 rating on the remake. At that point, you could cast Justin Bieber as the fucking Predator for all I care – you’ll have already shit on the series. Still, Shane Black’s the man to make this movie work if it truly needs to happen.
UPDATE: Director Shane Black has clarified to pundits that his Predator will not be a reboot or a remake, but an “inventive sequel” that expands on the creature’s already existing mythology. I’m doubtful we’ll see a direct sequel to 2010’s Predators, but I’m interested in seeing how Black continues the mythos.