Schwarzenegger’s Secret Sequel: “Predator” Is Actually a Follow-Up to Another ’80s Action Classic!

When you mention Predator, the immediate thought is the iconic sci-fi action film directed by John McTiernan, which has achieved cult status since its release in 1987. However, hidden behind its success is a fascinating story: the film could have been developed as a direct sequel to another Arnold Schwarzenegger blockbuster.

At first glance, Predator appears to be a straightforward tale of a commando team sent into the jungles of Central America to rescue survivors from a helicopter crash. Soon, the squad led by Major Dutch Schaefer realizes they are being hunted by an unseen extraterrestrial entity picking them off one by one.

This gripping survival story spawned one of the major franchises in the action and sci-fi cinema genres. Garnering over $100 million worldwide and attracting more than 1.4 million viewers in France alone, the original installment kick-started a series that continues to this day, including the highly praised Predator: Badlands, the latest release as of November 2025.

Dutch Schaefer: A Not So New Hero

In the movie, Schwarzenegger plays Dutch Schaefer, the leader of an elite unit facing an otherworldly foe. This role became iconic, though the character could have been markedly different.

Before the project took its final shape, the screenplay written by brothers Jim Thomas and John Thomas was initially titled Hunter. The concept reportedly originated from a Hollywood joke about a ludicrous fight between Sylvester Stallone and an alien in the Rocky universe.

Yet, a lesser-known detail significantly alters the film’s perception: for a time, studios considered turning this screenplay into an actual sequel to Commando.

When Predator Was to Become Commando 2

Screenwriter Jeph Loeb, who had worked on Commando, disclosed this during the Paris Fan Festival in 2024. According to him, producers seriously contemplated using the Predator script to extend the adventures of John Matrix.

“It wasn’t our idea, but I thought it was a good one,” Jeph Loeb shared. “The studio had the Predator script and initially thought the best approach was to make it a Commando 2. (…) If you watch Commando and then Predator, you’ll see it’s the same character, even though his name changes [from John Matrix to Dutch Schaefer, NDLR]. It’s definitely John Matrix, the hero from Commando. He even wears the same camouflage gear. (…) I have a version of Predator that is labeled as Commando 2.”

The idea wasn’t far-fetched. In Commando, Schwarzenegger had already portrayed a highly trained former soldier who could single-handedly take on an entire army to save his daughter. The hero’s profile closely matched that of Dutch in Predator.

Why the Sequel Project Was Scrapped

Despite the proposed lead, the studios ultimately preferred to transform the concept into a standalone work. At the time, Hollywood viewed sequels as less profitable than original films.

Jeph Loeb explains, “Then someone else woke up and said, ‘No, we’re not going to do that.’ The reason they didn’t pursue it was that at the time, sequels generally earned about half what the original film did. Star Wars was the exception. Later, we started making sequels that were more successful than the original, like Terminator 2. But at that time, that wasn’t the case.”

Fox executives thus chose a different strategy: to make Predator the start of a new franchise rather than just a sequel. “The folks at Fox then told us, ‘We shouldn’t turn Predator into Commando 2, because it would only make half of what Commando did. So why not start another franchise?’ That was a smart move, and that’s how Predator was born. They didn’t even need Arnold Schwarzenegger for the subsequent Predator films, and that’s what they did. So, they never made a Commando 2, but they made a lot of Predator! But that doesn’t mean there can’t be another Commando; we’ll see.”

Two Legendary Franchises Ultimately Separated

The outcome is now clear: instead of a mere Commando 2, Hollywood has cultivated an entire saga around the Predators, enriched over the decades with multiple sequels, crossovers, and reboots.

Yet, this revelation still alters how we view the 1987 film. Behind Dutch Schaefer might unofficially be another version of John Matrix. This theory is bolstered by the similarities in character, demeanor, and even attire between the two heroes played by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Predator franchise is primarily available for streaming on Disney+. To (re)discover Predator: Badlands, however, you will need to turn to VOD.

Find the full interview with Jeph Loeb here, and then explore the bloopers and mistakes of the Predator saga below!

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