Who doesn't crave more Predator content?
Well, even if you didn't ask for it, brace yourselves as Disney gears up to unleash the prequel film, Prey.
Set 300 years ago in the realm of the Comanche Nation, this origin story follows Nara, a formidable female warrior, defending her tribe against a terrifying cosmic menace using basic tools to combat an advanced alien race.
Building upon the legacy of its predecessors, Prey leverages the enduring fanbase of a franchise that commenced three and a half decades ago, captivating fans of science fiction and horror worldwide.
Traversing the journey of a commando squad on a mission in a dense Central American forest, the iconic Predator emerges as a formidable extraterrestrial warrior endowed with unique abilities that render it the ultimate killing machine.
Despite its prowess, Arnold Schwarzenegger's character, Dutch, emerges victorious in a thrilling climax, leaving behind fallen comrades in the woods.
Apart from luminaries like Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, and Shane Black, the film initially cast action maestro Jean-Claude Van Damme to portray the menacing cosmic antagonist.
However, an unforeseen minor health issue led to his unjust dismissal from the esteemed project, a decision that appears increasingly harsh in retrospect.
In a conversation with Murder Master Music Show, actor Bill Duke revealed that Van Damme's dismissal stemmed from persistent dehydration issues that irked the producer.
“Clad in a stealth suit and suspended on wires, he soared into the trees while tethered like he was flying,” Duke recounted before noting, “After collapsing twice due to dehydration, the producer warned him, ‘Another faint and you're out.'”
Expressing his frustration, Van Damme retorted, “I'm not fainting deliberately!
I'm dehydrated!”
Despite his resilience, the actor succumbed to another bout of dehydration two weeks later, prompting the producer to terminate his contract.
However, the narrative takes an intriguing turn as additional accounts from the film set shed light on Van Damme's peculiar actions.
While he did suffer from dehydration, special effects supervisor Joel Hynek disclosed another reason for his dismissal – his insistence on kickboxing during filming.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter commemorating the film's 30th anniversary, Hynek recounted a confrontation between Van Damme and producer Joel Silver, where the actor's penchant for kickboxing clashed with the character of Predator.
Defiant, Van Damme argued, “That's how I envision the Predator,” only to be swiftly dismissed by the producer with a resolute “You're fired.”
Adding to the saga, stunt coordinator Craig Baxley recalled a climax where Van Damme, clad in an expensive Predator costume, impulsively destroyed a $20,000 prop, leading to his final ousting from the film set.
As the tales intertwine, one can only wonder if a blend of all accounts paints a complete picture – the dehydrated kickboxing aficionado causing chaos and dismantling pricey props.
Regardless, it remains a missed opportunity to witness Van Damme in action amidst the mysteries surrounding his departure from the iconic ‘Predator'.
