'The Predator' Will Feature a Non-CGI Actor in a Predator Suit
20th Century Fox
Any time a sequel or remake of a beloved '70s/'80s film is announced, one of the biggest fears among fans is that the new film will eschew classic practical effects in favor of modern CGI that lacks that old school tactile feel (and often looks horrible). These fears were realized in the worst way in movies like the Star Wars prequels and Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, but in recent years filmmakers have started to get the message.
So with The Predator on the way, we of course worried that the familiar dreadlocked alien would transform from a guy in a suit (like in the 1987 original) to a fully CGI creation, and that it wouldn't have the same charm. It turns out we weren't the only ones worried about that, though, as a fan asked director Shane Black on Twitter if the new film would feature nothing but CGI. And Black, fortunately, gave an answer that really put us at ease:
Yes, according to Black, a 7-foot-tall actor in a Predator suit will portray the titular creature in at least some scenes in the movie. This should comfort longtime fans of the franchise, who will remember 7' 2" actor Kevin Peter Hall in his Predator suit making Arnold Schwarzenegger's Dutch look tiny as the two battled in the original film.
And someone else who no doubt has vivid recollections of that is Black himself, since he portrayed a member of Dutch's unit (Rick Hawkins) in the 1987 classic. And even though original effects creator Stan Winston isn't around anymore (he passed away in 2008), studio ADI - who worked on two other previous Predator movies - will be providing the creature effects for the new film.
The new movie's Predator-hunters and/or prey include Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Jacob Tremblay, and Edward James Olmos. The Predator stalks theaters starting August 3, 2018 (it was delayed from its original February release).
So with The Predator on the way, we of course worried that the familiar dreadlocked alien would transform from a guy in a suit (like in the 1987 original) to a fully CGI creation, and that it wouldn't have the same charm. It turns out we weren't the only ones worried about that, though, as a fan asked director Shane Black on Twitter if the new film would feature nothing but CGI. And Black, fortunately, gave an answer that really put us at ease:
I am standing on set next to a 7-foot tall gentleman in a Predator suit — so no, it is not all CGI.
— Shane Black (@BonafideBlack) April 23, 2017
Yes, according to Black, a 7-foot-tall actor in a Predator suit will portray the titular creature in at least some scenes in the movie. This should comfort longtime fans of the franchise, who will remember 7' 2" actor Kevin Peter Hall in his Predator suit making Arnold Schwarzenegger's Dutch look tiny as the two battled in the original film.
And someone else who no doubt has vivid recollections of that is Black himself, since he portrayed a member of Dutch's unit (Rick Hawkins) in the 1987 classic. And even though original effects creator Stan Winston isn't around anymore (he passed away in 2008), studio ADI - who worked on two other previous Predator movies - will be providing the creature effects for the new film.
The new movie's Predator-hunters and/or prey include Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Jacob Tremblay, and Edward James Olmos. The Predator stalks theaters starting August 3, 2018 (it was delayed from its original February release).
Partial cast... beautiful human beings, good people. Also, killers. Cameras roll today. Follow me on Twitter for updates. Wish us luck. pic.twitter.com/vYGgGesW0Y
— Shane Black (@BonafideBlack) February 20, 2017
