'The Predator' is back in first teaser trailer, but fans aren't quite sure what to make of reboot

Few modern movie monsters have had the lasting appeal of the Predator, the intergalactic bounty hunter who made his cinematic debut in 1987’s Arnold Schwarzenegger classic Predator and then went on to appear in both a sequel (1990’s Predator 2) and two spin-offs (2004’s AvP: Alien vs. Predator and 2007’s Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem). Thus, his impending return to wreak havoc on the big screen in this September’s The Predator is greatly anticipated — although for now, the film’s first teaser seems to pose at least one curious question about the specific nature of its story.

Written and directed by Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Iron Man 3, The Nice Guys), who actually co-starred in 1987’s original, The Predator is an R-rated reboot of the franchise and will focus on a group of military assassins — led by Boyd Holbrook, Keegan-Michael Key, Trevante Rhodes, Thomas Jane, and Sterling K. Brown — who find themselves at odds with the lethal aliens, who according to Olivia Munn’s science teacher, upgrade themselves with the DNA of their victims. Given that Holbrook seems to be accosted by the Predator in a room at the end of this promo, it appears likely that some of the film’s action may take place outside the series’ favored jungle setting (specifically, in suburbia). Far more puzzling, however, is the fact that Jacob Tremblay’s kid receives a Predator helmet and tech gadgets in the mail at the start of this tease, and his make-believe play is then echoed by real-world events — suggesting that he’s actually, unwittingly piloted a Predator ship to earth. Which raises the question: Who sends Predator tech gadgets to little boys?

So far, social media reaction has been mixed, to say the least:

Having already had its release date bumped a few times (perhaps because, as Key earlier revealed, the entire third act had to be rewritten), The Predator will, per Munn, look to follow in its predecessors’ fabled footsteps and also “kick it up another level” when it arrives in theaters on Sept. 14.

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