The Predator is one of the most iconic movie monsters of all time. The 1987 sci-fi/action film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers is a classic. But many fans may not know what the insiders do -- that the title alien was almost a giant reptile monster in a ridiculous foam suit, played by Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Now, Dark Horse Comics is finally giving the Predator that could have been its time in the spotlight in a comic mini-series of its own. Based on the original screenplay by James E. Thomas and his brother John C. Thomas, the overall plot of Predator: The Original Screenplay is similar, but the devil is in the differences. Which is exactly what Dark Horse is hoping to emphasize with this mini-series.
One of the biggest differences for even casual fans is the monster design itself. Since this is a version of the infamous creature that wasn't designed by special effects wizard Stan Winston, artist Patrick Blaine will have a lot of input in interpreting the Predator's new look. And don't expect many of the same weapons and tricks used by the Predator in the movies either, as those didn't appear until later drafts of the screenplay. Take a look at the official cover, courtesy of Syfy:
Comic books based on unused or discarded screenplays isn't a new phenomenon. The Star Wars was a 2013 eight-issue comic series from Dark Horse as well, based on the first draft of George Lucas's script (and was a very different version of the story audiences saw in theaters). And it's hard not to imagine how a series like Predator: The Original Screenplay opens the door for adapting other famous un-produced scripts. Or at the very least, more alternate versions of films that never made it past the development stage.
By now it's known that Shane Black's Predator culture and background has been retconned in nearly every movie and adaptation. This series will no doubt offer up the most wildly different version of Predator lore yet.
All of this is speculation at this point. What is known is that there's hope for screenwriters out there with a vision and that if their original ideas don't make it to the big screen the way they imagined, there's always another medium to try. Predator: The Original Screenplay will hit store shelves on June 10th.
Source: Syfy
