Actor Bill Duke supports the statement that Jean-Claude Van Damme was dismissed from the movie Predator because of dehydration issues during filming.
The 1987 science fiction classic film, Predator, was shot in the jungles of Puerto Vallarta and Palenque.
It portrays a skilled military rescue team being hunted by an alien creature with camouflage abilities.
Bill Duke, who played Mac in the movie, confirms the claims that Van Damme was let go due to health concerns.
Alongside Duke were renowned actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Jesse Ventura.
Kevin Peter Hall portrayed the alien hunter, with Peter Cullen providing the creature's voice.
Initially met with mixed reviews, Predator has now gained recognition as one of the most acclaimed sci-fi movies ever made.
Earning over $98 million at the box office against a $15 million budget, the film's success led to three direct sequels, video games, novels, comic books, and a range of merchandise.
The Predator character even crossed paths with the Alien franchise in subsequent films.
Despite Hall and Cullen's contributions to the iconic Predator character, a different action star was originally intended for the role.
In an interview with Murder Master Music Show, Duke corroborated reports that Van Damme's dismissal was due to recurring dehydration issues on set.
Van Damme was initially set to portray the Predator, envisioned as a smaller entity with special effects planned for his appearance.
However, the actor's health struggles in the humid jungle resulted in the producer terminating his contract after repeated incidents of dehydration.
Apart from Van Damme's departure, the Predator franchise is embroiled in legal battles over ownership rights.
Screenwriters Jim and John Thomas filed a lawsuit against The Walt Disney Company earlier this year to determine their rights to the franchise post-Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Disney is actively working on a new Predator installment called Skull, slated for a 2022 release.
Despite its billion-dollar global revenue, the Predator series has encountered its fair share of controversies.
Van Damme's exit was unfortunate, considering his medical condition.
Speculation arises about the reception had Van Damme's portrayal of the creature been realized as intended.
