ThePredatorfranchise has been quiet for a while. 2010’sPredatorswas modestly successful in terms of box office and reception, but it wasn’t quite enough to totally reinvigorate the series. That is (hopefully) about to change as directorShane Blackgears up to shoot the latest in the series, simply titledThe Predator. As the movie races toward production, the cast is starting to take shape and the latest addition comes in the form of comedianKeegan-Michael Key.
The Hollywood Reporter is claiming that theKeyhalf of the sketch comedy duoKey and Peeleis in final negotiations for a role inThe Predator.Keegan-Michael Keymay seem like an unlikely, if very welcome addition to the ensemble cast, which is starting to take shape. It was just announced thatMoonlightstarTrevante Rhodeswill also be joining the cast, alongsideOlivia MunnandLoganstarBoyd Holbrook. Originally, Fox had their sights set onBenicio Del Toro, but scheduling got in the way of that happening, so the role went toHolbrookinstead.
As forKeegan-Michael Key, he has been making some headway in terms of breaking into the world of movies ever since Comedy Central decided to bringKey and Peeleto a close. He, along with his comedy partnerJordan Peele, wrote and starred in the comedyKeanulast year, which unfortunately didn’t do all that well at the box office. For whatever it’s worth, the movie did feature a good amount of action, which might have helped prove that he could handle something likeThe Predator. That is good, because according to THR he will be one of the chosen few who has to fight the legendary monster this time around.Keegan-Michael Keyhas also had supporting roles inTomorrowlandandVacationin addition to starring in Fox’s recent comedyWhy Him?It also probably didn’t hurt that he starred in the indieDon’t Think Twice, which was one of the better-reviewed movies of 2016.
The originalPredatorremains a true action classic and has yet to really top that initial entry, despite quite a few attempts.Predator 2has found an audience in the years since its release, but it tanked at the box office and was not what one would call a critical darling. Then came theAlien Vs. Predatormovies, which despite having a seemingly bullet-proof concept, really didn’t work all that well. Especially in the case ofAlien Vs. Predator: Requiem, which currently has a measly 12 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. 2010’sPredatorswas something of a middle-of-the-road affair, so that didn’t quite givePredatorfans what they have been waiting for, even if it was enjoyable to some degree.
Shane Blackstarred in the originalPredator, so he has some personal ties to the franchise. Having him direct and co-write the movie is no doubt a credit to its potential. Outside of thenew additions to the castand who is directing it, we still don’t know much aboutThe Predator. A teaser poster was revealed early last year and Fox has announced that the movie will be released in IMAX but beyond that, we don’t know much else, but it has been said byShane Blackthat it will be “scary” and R-rated, which is good. There was a report that claimed the movie would be taking place in the suburbs, butShane Blackdebunked that fairly quickly.The Predatoris set for release on July 22, 2025.
