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Predator: Jean-Claude Van Damme and What Could Have Been

By Jameson Brown · September 17, 2014

 

One of the best action films to date, Predator set a new level of explosions meshed with a sci-fi villain that impacted film and pop culture beyond what was ever intended. Above, Steve Johnson goes into detail about what the original Predator costume was supposed to look like, Jean-Claude Van Damme’s involvement and how the environment was unforgiving. 

With this major costume change, the Predator’s look, feel, tone and movement were altered for the best. Going by the screen tests featured above, the “original” Predator would have lacked the aspect of genuine threat and terror. 

 

The costume that was chosen in the end also plays more towards the characterization of “hunter” vs. a random alien thing stalking people in the jungle. The original Van Damme suit did not fit this characterization at all, as it did not fit the environment as well. All in all, some good executive and directorial choices were made, and the outcome spawned not just a great film icon, but a large community around it. 

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