Titan Books will produce a prequel novel for Shane Black's Predator 4 movie The Predator as we have learned thanks to upcoming book information source BNC Catalyst. The plot outline for its story aims to rewrite certain elements from the original Predator film - having the Predator Dutch fought during the film's climax being a different Predator than the one seen terrorizing his team earlier on in the film. Similar to Robert Rodriguez's Predators movie, we will be introduced to a conflict within the Predator society, though not between "Super Predators" and Yautja, but between Yautja from the same caste. Here's the official synopsis:
Two Predators race through space, one a rogue, the other in pursuit. Their conflict brings them to Earth, where the rogue launches the assault on “Dutch” Schaefer and his unit, as seen in the 1987 movie Predator. The pursuing Yautja arrives and stops the rogue. In an ironic twist, however, he is mistaken for the rogue and attacked by Schaefer, who seeks to avenge his men.
What does this novel's plot synopsis tell us about The Predator? Well, we will clearly be introduced to more of the Predator's culture and how its society functions. We may also learn of its motives for targeting Earth so frequently and why Humans are one of their primary collectible trophies to hunt.
The problem with this significant plot twist however, is that it discounts the myths we're introduce to in Predator - how these Hunters visit Earth every so many years, when it's very hot, to hunt and make trophies of Man. 1987's Predator set up the Predators to be these intergalactic hunters who butcher other alien species as a past time.
This new novel's synopsis somehow makes Earth out to be this "happened upon" location, or a specific target by the Rogue Predator. Why the bad blood? Does the Rogue seek to take revenge against Man for possibly killing one of the Predators from the Rogue's clan during a previous hunt? Is the other Predator attempting to stop the Rogue because his actions go against their Hunter's code? If so, why finish off Dutch and his men after taking out the Rogue? Why not leave?
Titan Books' The Predator prequel mobile will release May 30th, 2017. Hopefully some of the questions mentioned above will be answered!
What are your thoughts on this novel's direction? Let me know your opinions in the comments below!
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Dan Trachtenberg's Predator: Badlands released in theaters on November 7th, 2025! Visit the Predator Lore database - for information on the film's different Yautja and characters, the planet Genna, how it connects to Alien, where in the Predator movie timeline the film takes place and more!
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