Shane Black Reveals Where His Predator Sits In The Franchise Time-Line

Shane Black is returning to the Predator universe once more to help reinvigorate the franchise he once helped launch.

The Director recently sat down with IGN to discuss when this Predator takes place in the timeline, which he confirmed as present day.

“Well, it seems to me if we set ours in 2018 which is when the film is set, then we can only be a prequel to that one (Predator 2), so you could say yes it exists, but people won’t be discussing it really. It’s in the midst of the mythology. It’s a movie that’s set in our present-day. Or maybe the day after tomorrow.”

According to Black, the film is moving steadily along at this point, and will most likely be his next project.

“The train is rolling I should say. I think it’s pretty clear now that this is the next thing I’m gonna do, is work on that. We’re having a lot of fun. The idea is to take what has been a series of kind of modest knock-off type movies which all made a guaranteed return. Not bad movies but certainly not on the level of what Ridley [Scott] was doing with Alien and then Prometheus and now this very much lauded prequel/sequel coming up. How can I follow in the footsteps of someone who re-invents and brings that much event-ised quality to a pulp franchise. How do you get people to know about the Predator and buy their tickets a month before it comes out as opposed to just ‘What are you seeing tonight? We can see a comedy or… oh, there’s a new Predator.’ No, no, this one we want to make people aware of – we’ve paid a lot of attention, there’s even some more money spent.”

Black is certainly aiming high and wants to deliver a Predator film that is truly a joy for fans of the long-running franchise. The Predator is set for release sometime in 2018.