Shane Black talks The Predator, Arnold Schwarzenegger and says the film will be set in present day!

Predator: Badlands NewsBy Chris Apr 13, 2016Comments

Shane Black has revealed the time period setting for the upcoming fourth Predator movie, officially titled The Predator! During a recent interview with Collider, Black explains that The Predator is his next film to direct and that the plot for Predator 4 will be set during present day. So, for the fans that were expecting or hoping for a futuristic setting on an alien world, or for those who were hoping for a Cold War setting, neither will be the time period for this new sequel.

There’s great Predator movies, but to actually play with the idea of making it an event, not necessarily in scale—it doesn’t have to be huge—but it just has to feel like a Predator movie you want to see in the summer and line up for it. And that’s what we’re going for. Let’s get back to the excitement and innovation of that original movie where it felt fresh. I just want to find a way to make it feel fresh and that’s what we’re trying to do. - Shane Black

Shane also touches on the possibility of Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising his role as Dutch:

Arnold Schwazrenegger coming back in Predato 4?

Collider: A lot of people are wondering if you’re bringing Arnold back.

BLACK: We have not talked about it, which is good because I’m not supposed to talk about it anyway. Not supposed to talk about details of the script. And I shouldn’t.

Collider: Is it using the real time since the first film?

BLACK: This one will be set in present day.

Collider: Ah, so there’s a possibility.

BLACK: Yes, it’s set in present day.

You can check out the entire interview over on Collider. Special thanks to Matt here on Scified for the heads up!

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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!