Arnold Schwarzenegger (with Carl Weathers) in 1987's 'Predator'

A role specific for Arnold Schwarzenegger has reportedly been written into Robert Rodriguez’s new Predators film.

An unnamed source apparently told Moviehole:

’Rodriguez is as against the idea of a straight-up remake as much as anyone – which is why they’re considering this an official sequel to John McTiernan’s film. Like Terminator, they know Schwarzenegger’s a vital ingredient of the franchise. Ideally, Arnold will see it that way too. Ball is in his court now”.

The “ball is in his court now” comment refers to the fact that the filmmakers have reached out to Schwarzenegger to reprise his original Predator role as Major Alan ‘Dutch’ Schaefer.

UPDATE 10/6/2009:  Slashfilm have reported that Robert Rodriguez wrote to AICN advising that the filmmakers haven’t actually approached Schwarzenegger yet:

“We’re still writing a new script,” he told AICN,”and although I know Arnold personally and he’s the coolest person on the planet, I have not contacted him about this at all at this time.”

Word is it’s a small cameo appearance and not a major part at all, but of course, so was his T-800 appearance in Terminator Salvation and he didn’t have time for that so the likelihood he’ll have time for Predators is certainly questionable.

Predators is a sequel to Predator and Predator 2 that will apparently follow a team of commando’s as they face down multiple Predators.

Schwarzenegger has yet to respond to the request.

Predators will be released July 7, 2010.

It’s been two weeks of drip-fed Predators excitement.

First, we learned that Robert Rodriguez would write, direct and produce the Predator reboot.   Then we learned Rodriguez wouldn’t actually be writing or directing the film but that he would definitely be producing it.   Although we didn’t know who would direct or write the new movie we did find out that it would be released on July 7, 2010.

Predators still doesn’t have a director attached, but 20th Century Fox have now named the writer who they’ve tapped to pen the script – Alex Litvak.

Litvak is a relatively unknown writer.  His only writing credential is the New Regency flick Medieval. Little is known about Medieval, a 2012 scheduled release that has yet to progress beyond scripting stage.

Predators is a sequel to Predator and Predator 2 that will apparently follow a team of commando’s as they face down multiple Predators.  It is said Rodriguez wants to go down a similar path with Predator as James Cameron did with Alien – Cameron did Aliens and Rodriguez wants Predators. Sounds cool to us!

Some reports indicate Litvak will be reworking an original story written by Rodriguez some 15 years ago (at a time when the epic scale of the story was deemed too costly to produce).

The original Predators story involved the kidnap of the victors from the first Predator movies (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover) who are then taken to the Predator homeworld for a gladiator style contest against other aliens that have defeated Predator’s in combat (or something like that).   Whether the new script will involve the same basic premise or not is unknown.

Predators will be released July 7, 2010.

Source(s): Bloody Disgusting / Screen Rant

According to a report on ERC Box Office,  Fox have announced Robert Rodriguez’s Predator reboot, Predators, will be released July 7, 2010.

The announcement also states Rodriguez will produce the new film but he will not direct nor write it as previously thought.

IESB are reporting they have confirmed Director Robert Rodriguez will helm a reboot of 20th Century Fox’s Predator.

Rodriguez will both direct and produce the reboot.

In a news conference at Troublemaker Studio’s, Rodriguez told members of the press:

“I’m going to be able to shoot my upcoming Machete here, a sci-fi action film called Nervewrackers, a re-boot of the Predator series called Predators, and a couple of smaller movies called Sin City 2 and The Jetsons.”

It’s been 22 years since the first Predator movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger graced our screens.  Three years later the sequel, starring Danny Glover didn’t do so well.  However in 2004 Aliens Vs Predator and again in 2007 Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem were both highly successful at the box office.

Yet with so many movies on Rodriguez’ plate, when exactly Predators will be released remains unknown.