1990's Predator, the massively popular Arnold Schwarzenegger-led film in the same thematic vein. Despite Predator 2's widely negative critical response after its release, it has since been considered a cult classic by many fans of the franchise. Interestingly though, the version of the movie that ended up hitting the big screen was very different compared to some of the initial ideas for the project.
Predator 2 swaps the jungle setting of the original for the urban sprawl of Los Angeles. The story introduces LAPD cop Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) and his law enforcement team as they, along with the rest of the city, try to navigate a sweltering heatwave and a brutal drug cartel war being waged in the streets. It doesn't take long for the project's titular, monstrous antagonist, an alien Predator (played by Kevin Peter Hall), to make its way into the plot and wreak havoc on nearby humans.
The sequel has some big names within its cast, but it seems that the already impressive list could've been quite different. According to a 2021 article from Schwarzenegger didn't return in Predator 2 because of a "dispute over his proposed salary." Subsequently, the project became very different than what other iterations brought forth. Of course, diehard franchise fans would've, generally speaking, preferred to see Schwarzenegger as the flick's leading man, as he was in 1987's John McTiernan-directed classic. But, while Schwarzenegger's absence in itself was lamentable, the prospect of a team-up with and Swayze represents a major missed opportunity for the franchise.
Though Predator 2 has become a cult success in the eyes of many fans and Glover's Lt. Harrigan is an iconic figure, the widely criticized project lacks any real spark. Given this, it's easy to see why many contemporary critics labeled it a major disappointment. By contrast, a version with two of the era's biggest action stars, along with the intrigue of Schwarzenegger's return to the franchise, would have at least added an extra dimension, regardless of the end result. While suggestions that the combination could have saved the film are pure speculation, it certainly represents a tantalizing scenario for audiences.
Despite Swayze and Schwarzenegger's absence, however, casting wasn't the only issue with Predator 2. According to the Eighties Kids article, other versions of Predator 2 that could've been - especially in regard to its cast and writing.
