New Predator Film is a Sequel not a Reboot

Yesterday the world learned that Shane Black would be working on a new Predator film.  Early reports claimed that the new film would be a reboot of the franchise.  However, it looks like that isn’t the case at all.

Collider spoke with Shane Black directly about the news and learned that the new film isn’t a reboot, but a sequel.  Speaking with the site, here’s what Black had to say about the film’s direction:

“Why start over, when you’ve all this rich mythology yet to mine?”  Black said he doesn’t like reboots generally, but can “really get behind inventive sequels”, noting that he likes “the idea of expanding and exploring the existing Predator mythology, rather than hitting the restart button.”

The news of a reboot struck me as being strange, so I’m a little relieved that that’s not the case.  Not that I’m against reboots, but I can’t imagine how the Predator franchise would benefit from one.  However, I find the use of the phrase “inventive sequel” to be an interesting choice of words.

I wonder if they’ll do something like “Curse of Chucky” where the film reveals itself to be a sequel/prequel.  Perhaps the new Predator will play with the franchises’ timeline and present a new angle to the series.  For now, all we have is speculation.  But with Fred Dekker and Shane Black crafting the story, I have high hopes that they’ll pull off something unique.