Shane Black Directing Predator Sequel! - Part 1

[Nathan]

Not loving the "hybrids" thing though. But it's not really any worse than the dogs/birds last time in Predators. Whatever.

Unfortunately I can't find the leaked script, so I have to rely on the script breakdown of others. According to them there is an...

Spoiler

Arc in the Movie. A Predator spacecraft with several Predators in cryo tubes. Those are the Predator hybrids. From another post, I learned there is even supposed to be one with tentacles. The whole point of the hybridization process, is to be able to adapt to the environment. So it's not just the Captain America Predator with roid rage, it seems that hybridization is now being retconned into the Predator lore. So they don't simply hunt people for trophies anymore, they extract the DNA from the spinal cords and inject it into themselves to improve themselves.

It'd be one thing if a sub-section of the Predator race uses DNA from different species to improve themselves, but if they are all supposed to do that, then I think the Predator franchise is dead to me.

And a big spoiler that may set up future Movies.

Spoiler

The Predators are supposedly looking to relocate to earth, because their home planet is cooling down, and earth, with its global warming issues, is the perfect planet to settle down. So setting up a major conflict between humans and Predator. I don't know about you, but I don't want an Independence Day Movie with Predators.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I thought the red band trailer was really good, I'm looking forward to this.

 

[harlequinade]

The leaked script story is legit what happens in the movie unless they changed a lot in reshoots which I doubt

 

[samsnee]

Sounds like they are trying to make it overly complex. What made the first one a classic is because it was a simple story. Hunter vs hunter, with a group of likeable outcasts. I understand sequels should expand and try to offer something different but the more you walk away from the spirit of the original, or retcon the original, the more likely it won’t work.

 

[Aximili86]

Unfortunately I can't find the leaked script, so I have to rely on the script breakdown of others. According to them there is an...

Spoiler

Arc in a Movie. A Predator spacecraft with several Predators in cryo tubes. Those are the Predator hybrids. From another post, I learned there is even supposed to be one with tentacles. The whole point of the hybridization process, is to be able to adapt to the environment. So it's not just the Captain America Predator with roid rage, it seems that hybridization is now being retconned into the Predator lore. So they don't simply hunt people for trophies anymore, they extract the DNA from the spinal cords and inject it into themselves to improve themselves.

It'd be one thing if a sub-section of the Predator race uses DNA from different species to improve themselves, but if they are all supposed to do that, then I think the Predator franchise is dead to me.

And a big spoiler that may set up future Movies.

Spoiler

The Predators are supposedly looking to relocate to earth, because their home planet is cooling down, and earth, with its global warming issues, is the perfect planet to settle down. So setting up a major conflict between humans and Predator. I don't know about you, but I don't want an Independence Day Movie with Predators.

Spoiler

Yeah, that stuff - if true - is a little different. If he runs with an "all predators do the gene-enhancing/splicing thing, it's why they rip the spinal column out" route, that's a bridge too far and we're all rightfully going to hate it.

What I'm thinking though, is maybe the big guy doesn't have anything to do with the hybridization? What if he's just a naturally big honkin' MFer, and a sort of "predator cop" like we've seen conceptually in the expanded books/comics forever? I could get on board with that.

Like he's out "getting rid of the freaks". Maybe it's the couple of predators that have thrown their hat in with the U.S. government (again if true) that are doing all the gene-splicing thing, rather than the big guy? If it's that, and he's sort of "purifying", coming here to burn all the heathens with fire, that could conceptually be pretty cool.

Really hate the "preparing Earth as a new predator homeworld" thing though, hopefully-upon-hopefully that's bull****.

Pretty much taking it all with a grain of salt at this point, hard to know what's substantial and what's just fan speculation. But all in all it kind of sounds 50/50 to me on an awesome/awful scale. Depends what's real and what isn't.

And Samsnee, you're not going to top the first movie as far as a simple guys-get-picked-off-one-by-one thing, there's no point in doing that again. We just had that recently with Predators, anyway, and it was done well, no point retreading it again. Ambition and mixing up the formula isn't a bad thing on principle, it just depends how the specifics play out.

 

[dark_b]

the size cant be just from collagen. they are way to big. t: I think she also has a hard time pronouncing words

 

[Nathan]

And Samsnee, you're not going to top the first movie as far as a simple guys-get-picked-off-one-by-one thing, there's no point in doing that again. We just had that recently with Predators, anyway, and it was done well, no point retreading it again. Ambition and mixing up the formula isn't a bad thing on principle, it just depends how the specifics play out.

True, but it can also very easily backfire, if they explain too much and take out all the mystery and ambiguity surrounding the Predator.

 

[Aximili86]

I doubt Black is the type of guy to get too specific on the Predators in a way that ruins their mystique. Which is why I'm sort of doubting some of the hybridization stuff (not all of it, we know it's in the movie in some form - I just mean more the 'they all do it and for ____ reasons and there's a big master plan for earth' stuff, seems doubtful). I doubt he'll screw with the "hunters for the sake and glory of hunting" in a broad way, seems more likely all this weird experimentation stuff could be the brainchild of a couple of rogue guys.

But learning more about them in some form or another, there's nothing wrong with that. Predator 2 expanded on that, Predators a little more (if we're considering that canon), it has precedent.

 

[terry78]

Yeah, the

Spoiler

taking over our planet thing is a little too cliche. They're not even supposed to be conquerors, they just look for the greatest challenge. Most of us don't even pose a threat except for our best soldiers.

 

[Aximili86]

To be fair, they probably do have "conquering" in their past in some form. They seem pretty unopposed out in space (from what little we have to go on), if any species of sufficient tech/capability actually organizes and starts some **** against them you'd have to figure the Dreadlocked Ones would have no issue with wider warfare (ie. not one-on-one for bragging rights) against them.

Or like, they want to go hunt some particularly-badass game on some world that's controlled/overseen by some other high-tech species who're advanced enough to not be fooled by the pred's cloaking and stuff, the predators are probably just going to off the sentient overlord guys, take all their territory, and now it's a game park.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Reading some of this...

I don't know... I think this is a time some of the misgivings that aboubd are gonna turn out to be true. The line in the trailer about them being a highly technically advanced species (not that such wasn't evident before but that's a big lamp shade in my opinion) lends itself to the ideas being talked about in the spoiler tags.

 

[Aximili86]

And on-paper there's nothing wrong with that so long as it's not taken to extremes. If he ****s with the hunter thing and makes hunting a means-to-an-end for some other plan, it'll be extremely stupid.

I just can't see it going that far, the "upgrading" thing. Every predator we've seen so far on-screen has been more or less similar physiologically, and we know Black's acknowledging the first two movies (maybe even Predators? Who knows). You'd figure the "all predators do this" thing wouldn't work given we've seen quite a few so far, who only really differ the way we do person-to-person, and with their armor/gear.

 

[Schlosser85]

I don’t feel a need for hybridized Predators or Predators trying to conquer the Earth.

 

[Flash525]

Unfortunately I can't find the leaked script, so I have to rely on the script breakdown of others. According to them there is an...

Spoiler

Arc in the Movie. A Predator spacecraft with several Predators in cryo tubes. Those are the Predator hybrids. From another post, I learned there is even supposed to be one with tentacles. The whole point of the hybridization process, is to be able to adapt to the environment. So it's not just the Captain America Predator with roid rage, it seems that hybridization is now being retconned into the Predator lore. So they don't simply hunt people for trophies anymore, they extract the DNA from the spinal cords and inject it into themselves to improve themselves.

It'd be one thing if a sub-section of the Predator race uses DNA from different species to improve themselves, but if they are all supposed to do that, then I think the Predator franchise is dead to me.

If this is true, I'm out. It'll ruin the franchise.

 

[Nathan]

I just pray that there have been significant changes. Like I said, I have to rely on the scrip breakdown of others, and the problematic thing is that they are not really detailed when it comes to certain characters in the Movie.

Spoiler

The Predator we see in the Movie, not Upgrade, apparently crash lands on earth in an escape pod. Eventually he gets captured, but it was a fake out to get into their military base. Anyway, that Predator eventually runs into Upgrade, as we see in the Movie, and gets swiftly murdered. So basically soon after he got pulled through the wall, the Predator finds its end.

The person who made the script breakdown doesn't really get into detail why Upgrade murdered the Predator. Was it another dissident Predator? Did he want to join the Predators on earth? If that's the case, why did he slaughter that military base? Was the script changed, and the Predator has now a bigger role? Or is it all Black's plan of subverting expectations, by making us think the captured Predator is the main Predator, only to be killed by Upgrade halfway through the Movie, and then we learn that there are more Predators on earth, who have been working with the Government all this time, and now we have humans and Predators fighting side by side to take down Upgrade.

 

[Inhuman117]

ok from all the spoiler stuff posted whats now the point from the Originial Predator in the Movie , is he the lone survivor from his tribe , a rogue because i dont think he will be a hero because like we all saw in the latest trailer he kills dozens of soldiers and fight against the maincast so call me confused

 

[Nathan]

I really need to find that dang script. It's troublesome to have to comb through other people's posts for script details.

Ok, a quick clarification on where all the Predators in the Movie stand.

Spoiler

The Predator who crash lands is a defector. He gets captured, but its not by the US Military, but a rogue organization called Stargazer, who wants to use the Predator technology for their own ends, or profit, whatever. So basically all the humans that got murdered in the Trailer, are basically the "bad guys".

The other 2 Predators that defected, are with the US military. So presumably the crash landed Predator wanted to join up with them, but gets stopped and killed by Upgrade.

 

[Flash525]

All these spoilers have me concerned, although... I remember when we saw the first trailer/teaser for the Predators film (the one with Adrian Broody); there was a heavy emphasis that there were a lot (like fifteen or so) Predators in that film - there's a scene when he's being targeted and there's a good number of targets locked on him.

That very same scene (in the actual film) has a single target lock. My point? If it wasn't already obvious, is that trailers can be very deceiving; just look at the (lack of) Hulk running through Wakanda.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Honestly, worst case scenario, I'd rather a bad movie that shot for the stars that does something to really challenge and widen these movies than another safe, fine Predator movie about people being hunted again; which you can bet they'll go back to if they ever want to make another one. If they can add to the lore in an interesting new way and execute everything right, then the risk will pay off. I appreciate that over a lack of vision and seeing something only one way because it worked so well the last time.

If this were anyone else I'd be more skeptical. But in the hands of Dekker and Black, I think they're the only guys who can make that balancing act they're talking about work. It sounds riskier than their other stuff, but that's exactly the stuff I want to see from creative people. To keep pushing themselves instead of just in their comfort zone. They sound at home with the material but at the same time are executing something unlike what they've done before.

 

[TheVileOne]

Spoiler

Harvesting spines to splice yourself is sort of what kills it for me.

They are dilletante hunters, and they want a trophy or souvenirs just like any other hunter. There was never any suggestion they wanted anything with the skulls or spines other than trophies. They are a primal race that is obsessed with the hunt and hunting the most dangerous game. Taking the bones or the skulls or spines is a rite of passage for them.

Hunters might change their methods or use more advanced weaponry, but generally hunters are just into hunting their kill. A lion or bear hunter doesn't take the bear DNA and study it or merge it with his own to become a more dangerous hunter.

Look I get this is an alien race. Earth rules don't always apply. But IMHO the reason Predator works is that you have this alien race and there's no big complex alien invasion or take over the world plan. It's a highly dangerous hunter that wants to hunt dangerous game. It's that simple. It wants worthy hunts and worthy kills. If mankind is at the top of the food chain on Earth, that makes man the most dangerous game.

 

[TheVileOne]

Honestly, worst case scenario, I'd rather a bad movie that shot for the stars that does something to really challenge and widen these movies than another safe, fine Predator movie about people being hunted again; which you can bet they'll go back to if they ever want to make another one. If they can add to the lore in an interesting new way and execute everything right, then the risk will pay off. I appreciate that over a lack of vision and seeing something only one way because it worked so well the last time.

If this were anyone else I'd be more skeptical. But in the hands of Dekker and Black, I think they're the only guys who can make that balancing act they're talking about work.

Black maybe...Dekker...not so sure.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I only know their collaboration on Monster Squad. Here's the thing though, this won't be bad. Disappointing at worst for Black, but given his track record it's more likely this is gonna be quality. I just think the studio is having a hard time conveying the tone and angle from them in the trailers so they're safely looking to make it look more tonally like the first film when what I think will sell it better is what Black talks about. Sell us what makes this movie inherently unique and sets it apart. Go for it. Damn what the whiny fans say who just want the same thing because that's the only way they know it and can't widen their ****ing perspective.

What I'm realizing is that fandom think similarly to people who run studios. They don't really know how their favorite movies or movies in general are made so they like what works the last time.

 

[TheVileOne]

I only know their collaboration on Monster Squad. Here's the thing though, this won't be bad. Disappointing at worst for Black, but given his track record it's more likely this is gonna be quality. I just think the studio is having a hard time conveying the tone and angle from them in the trailers so they're safely looking to make it look more tonally like the first film when what I think will sell it better is what Black talks about. Sell us what makes this movie inherently unique and sets it apart. Go for it. Damn what the whiny fans say who just want the same thing because that's the only way they know it and can't widen their ****ing perspective.

What I'm realizing is that fandom think similarly to people who run studios. They don't really know how their favorite movies or movies in general are made so they like what works the last time.

Even Shane Black is not incapable of working on a bad movie. Long Kiss Goodnight

 

[Aximili86]

See, Nathan, none of that stuff in your two recent posts clarifying the earlier stuff sounds all that bad to me.

Spoiler

The captured guy just pulling a Joker/Loki and getting taken in by "Stargazer" (what are we thinking, Busey's character, Gary's organization from 2 eventually became them?) to figure out what they're up to and what they know, that could be awesome. Or, willfully siding with the humans, either way, then "Upgrade" takes him out due to that? That seems really legitimately "predator universe" stuff to me. *Shrugs*

But yeah, just broad conceptually I'm totally on board with the three "regular" predators (whether two separate factions or all on the same page together) being rogue/criminals/whatever and Shaq Predator actually being the "legitimate" one representative of the clan/family/authorities. Hope that's the case, then we can get a little personality out of him. Way more interesting than it just being some big rampaging monster type guy.

I'd put money on some of this at least being real though, hard to say how much. But "a couple of predators working with the government and/or black-ops scientists-&-mercs types with their own agenda" does sound very, very "Shane Black" and potentially in a good way.

Also, psh, Dekker's fine. Night Of The Creeps, Monster Squad, he has a good eye for cool concepts. This is hardly going to be Robocop 3 here, pretty clearly from the trailers this is Shane's baby tone-wise.

EDIT: Only just friggin' realized that Robert John Burke/Murphy in Robo 3 was the evil HR cop in Person Of Interest. t: Don't know how I blanked on that. Awesome.

 

[TheVileOne]

Monster Squad came out 31 years ago.