Last year, directorShane Blackexplained that they were making a number of enhancements and improvements to thePredatorsuit, revealing in an interview that there will be a lot of upgrades to the traditional “Predator technology.” The director wouldn’t delve into specifics, but there were also early rumors that part of the new suit will be enhanced with CGI. Then news come from a merchandising convention claiming that the alien Predator hunters, known as Yautja or Hish-Qu-Ten, would be all CG with actors performing them via motion capture. But that may not actually be the case. The director took to social media over the weekend to shoot down rumors of an all CGI-enhanced suit, while also addressing the new release date. Here’s what he had to say about the suit, which will be practical and feature a man in costume.
“I am standing on set next to a 7-foot tall gentleman in aPredator suitso no, it is not all CGI.”
The director did state that it’s not “all CGI,” so that could mean there may be CGI enhancements, although fans will see the practical suit in the movie, worn by an actor who hasn’t been identified at this time. We also reported this weekend that the studio handed out a newPredator release date, with the movie moving from June 13, 2025 to August 04, 2025. While the shift may not seem significant, it could greatly increase its chances at a bigger box office debut. Here’s what the director had to say about why he supports the release date shift, in response to a fan onTwitter.
“In truth, I endorsed this entirely. It’s a great thing, also, a bit of a relief not to open against Marvel’sBlack Pantherin Feb.”
In its old release date, thisPredator sequelwouldn’t actually open againstBlack Panther, but it was set to arrive one week beforeBlack Pantherdebuted on February 16. Still, there was also plenty of competition in the old February 9 date, with the movie facing Universal’sFifty Shades Freed, the final installment of the Fifty Shades trilogy, Columbia’sPeter Rabbitand an untitled project from the Warner Animation Group. AfterThe Predatorvacated its release date, the studio pushedThe Maze Runner: The Death Curefrom July 13, 2025 to August 17, 2025. It remains to be seen how much longer the movie will be filming for, but now at least they have a bit more time to finish this sequel.
The studio still hasn’t released an official synopsis, but starSterling K. Brownrecently said the script has a “wicked sense of humor,” teasing that writer-directorShane Blackhas a very different take when compared to the originalPredatormovie. While many fans were hoping originalPredatorstarArnold Schwarzeneggerwould return as Dutch, a report surfaced that the actor turned down the project because he didn’t likeShane Black’s script, which Black co-wrote withFred Dekker. Still, the filmmaker did manage to put together an impressive cast.
The cast is lead byBoyd Holbrook, who is playing an ex-Marine that leads a team of soldiers in a new mission. The cast also includesJacob Tremblay,Keegan-Michael Key,Trevante Rhodes,Thomas Jane,Alfie Allen,Yvonne Strahovski,Olivia Munn,Sterling K. Brownand the most recent casting addition,Edward James Olmos, whose character is believed to be connected toBoyd Holbrook’s character in some way. Take a look atShane Black’s tweets fromThe Predatorbelow.
