After months upon months of speculation, rumors, and musings, we are finally slowly getting some more information on The Predator. Today broke that Moonlight breakout star Trevante Rhodes has been cast in the film. Rhodes will reportedly be portraying the best friend of the film’s lead character, Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook). Both characters are ex-Marines. Olivia Munn and 50 Cent are also counted among the film’s cast members, although details on their characters are known at this time.
I haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Moonlight yet myself, but by all accounts, it’s a keeper and Rhodes is a big part of why. Adding a bit of prestige to a big genre sequel is never a bad thing, nor is casting a young and hungry up-and-comer. Production on The Predator is expected to start within the next month or two, which means Rhodes is probably the first in a long line of casting announcements that Fox will be rolling out for the project.
Speaking of great 2016 films, if you haven’t managed to catch The Nice Guys yet, I urge you to do so. Writer/director Shane Black remains a master when it comes to crackerjack pulp action storytelling, something that I have little doubt will carry over to this. My nonexistent doubt about The Predator‘s chance at greatness is lessened even further when I’m reminded that it has been co-written by Black’s old friend, Fred Dekker (The Monster Squad).
The fourth (or sixth*) film in the popular sci-fi action franchise is expected to grace the silver screen on February 9th, 2018. I consider myself one of the biggest Predator 2 fans around, but I was a bit underwhelmed by Predators and the less said about the AVP films, the better. As a result, I think this franchise remains one full of untapped potential. The original is a masterpiece, as far as I am concerned, and I’d love to get another installment that comes close to that greatness. At the very least, I’ll certainly settle for another outing as good as Predator 2!
*- If we’re counting crossover flicks Alien vs. Predator and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.
