Lacey Bridges
When word of the “Predator” sequel came around, one of the first questions asked by the intermonger was “Arnold doing it?”.
While it would seem a silly question, honestly, considering Schwarzenegger hasn’t had anything to do with the “Predator” franchise since Walkman’s were in fashion, (co)writer-director Shane Black did note that this new film would be more a more direct, loyal ‘sequel’ to the original 1987 film than any of the other films considered “Predator” canon did. Considering the link, and the well-known fact that Black also had an acting role in the original movie, working side by side with Arnold, it would seem a reasonable possibility that Schwarzenegger’s character from the original might factor into the movie.
At one stage even Black himself said he planned to talk to Schwarzenegger about the movie, now titled “The Predator”.
With the movie now filming in Canada, and with no paparazzi photos of Schwarzenegger on set, most assumed the big-star cameo didn’t work out. And now Arnold’s confirming just that, telling Yahoo! that he wasn’t impressed in the role he was offered so passed on the project.
“They asked me, and I read it, and I didn’t like it — whatever they offered,” he tells Yahoo. “So I’m not going to do that, no. Except if there’s a chance that they rewrite it, or make it a more significant role. But the way it is now, no, I won’t do that.”
From what we’ve heard, Schwarzenegger was offered the small part of Boyd Holbrook’s father in the film – Holbrook playing, of course, this film’s version of ‘Dutch’. He likely would’ve come in at the end, no doubt, and whatever he was supposed to do didn’t float Schwarzenegger’s boat enough.
It sounds like Schwarzenegger is still interested in doing it, and might even be pressuring the writers into writing him a better moment in the film – and that could also be why he’s mentioned it to the media. We, after all, make dreams come true.
