Dive into the jungle of cinematic legend, where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic commando team faces off against the deadliest hunter in the galaxy. John McTiernan’s 1987 sci-fi masterpiece, Predator, has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning a loyal fan base and countless quotable moments. But how well do you know the making of this action-packed classic? From Sonny Landham’s danger to the cast to Jean-Claude Van Damme’s surprising exit, we’re about to unleash a barrage of fascinating trivia that’ll test your Predator prowess.
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1. Sonny Landham

During the filming of Predator, Sonny Landham (Billy) required a bodyguard due to concerns about the safety of the cast and crew, stemming from his aggressive behavior and penchant for violent outbursts. The film’s producers, worried about potential conflicts, hired a 6’8″ bodyguard to ensure his safety and maintain a peaceful working environment. Additionally, there were rumors of tension between Landham and some cast members, particularly Jesse Ventura (Blaine), who had differing personalities and backgrounds.
“We had this 6’8″ tall giant who had to follow Sonny around 24 hours a day the entire time he worked on the movie and make sure that he never misbehaved.” – Director John McTiernan
2. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mud Episodes

Filming “Predator” pushed its cast to the limit, throwing them headfirst into a jungle nightmare. Leeches, snakes, suffocating humidity, and scorching heat were just the beginning. But it was the nighttime shoots that proved especially brutal. Freezing temperatures turned the Mexican jungle into a chilled-to-the-bone torture chamber, and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Dutch) bore the brunt of it. As the film’s latter half progressed, Schwarzenegger’s mud-caked costume – actually made of pottery clay – became a cold, wet prison. Medical warnings predicted a drastic drop in his body temperature, and no amount of lamp-heated warmth could alleviate the shivers that wracked his frame.
“I was shivering nonstop. They had to use heat lamps to warm me, but that made the clay dry out, so they didn’t use them much” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
3. Jean-Claude Van Damme

Initially, the Predator was envisioned as a lean, insect-like creature, and its design included a bright red suit meant to facilitate its cloaking effect during post-production. Jean-Claude Van Damme, a fresh-faced actor from Brussels, was cast to wear the suit. However, Van Damme was reportedly upset when he discovered his role wouldn’t allow him to showcase his martial arts skills or even be seen on screen for most of the movie. Special effects expert Steve Johnson later shared that these limitations caused significant tension during production.
“It was a nightmare, because the outfit was made of rubber and it was so hot in Mexico. People pass[ing] out without the outfit. And I was there sweating water. And then they put some sort of tube for air conditioning. It was too cold. Too hot, too cold.” – Jean-Claude Van Damme
4. Val Verde

The connections stretch far beyond the Alien vs. Predator series. The fictional country of Val Verde, which appears in movies like Commando and Die Hard 2, serves as a subtle link across multiple films. With Predator tied to the Alien franchise—and Alien containing nods to Blade Runner—an expansive shared universe emerges. This would suggest that the Alien and Predator films, Die Hard series, Blade Runner and its sequel, and Commando all exist in the same overarching world. It’s a compelling theory that connects some of cinema’s most iconic franchises. Predator may have taken place in Val Verde, but it was filmed in Mexico and Hawaii.
5. Script Subterfuge

In 1986, John and Jim Thomas, the writers of Predator, were newcomers without an agent or any studio sales to their name. Determined to get their spec script, titled Hunter, noticed by 20th Century Fox, they resorted to sneaking onto the studio lot and sliding it under an executive’s door. Against the odds, the script caught the studio’s attention and was passed to producer Joel Silver. Fresh off the success of Commando (1985), Silver transformed the script from a low-budget B-movie concept into a high-stakes action blockbuster.
In the end, Predator isn’t just a classic action movie—it’s a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories and unexpected connections that make it even more legendary. From an alien suit swap to a martial arts star’s frustrations and a ragtag crew surviving the jungle, the film’s trivia is as wild as the hunt itself. It’s proof that sometimes the chaos of production leads to cinematic gold. So, the next time you watch Predator, remember: there’s more to the story than what’s on the screen. The real adventure might just be what happened off-camera.