Arnold Schwarzenegger says he won’t return to the “Predator” franchise in Shane Black’s upcoming reboot unless changes are made.
“They asked me, and I read it, and I didn’t like it — whatever they offered,” he told Yahoo Movies.
The actor added: “Except if there’s a chance that they rewrite it, or make it a more significant role. But the way it is now, no, I won’t do that.”
TheWrap can confirm that Dutch Schaefer, Schwarzenegger’s character from the John McTiernan-directed 1987 original, appears at the very end of Black and Fred Dekker’s latest screenplay draft for the reboot. Schaefer gets a very short cameo in the scene, saying just two lines that set up a sequel. The fact that Schwarzenegger is irked over his screen-time makes sense when taking that into consideration.
“The Predator” is slated by 20th Century Fox for a 2018 release and will be the first installment in the “Predator” series since 2007’s “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem.” Black last directed Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe in the crime comedy “The Nice Guys.”
In the original “Predator,” Schwarzenegger played the leader of an elite special forces team on a mission to rescue hostages from guerrilla territory in Central America — before being hunted down by an advance alien life form.
Trump vs Schwarzenegger: 9 Moments in History of Friends Turned Rivals (Photos)
Here's a look back at the long and complicated history between the two celebrities-turned-politicians.
Getty
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Donald Trump were buddy-buddy at first, seen joking around at the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York, according to a 2016 Politico article. At Trump's request, Schwarzenegger even moved his entourage from the Mandarin Hotel to one of Trump's hotels, which irked Schwarzenegger's wife, Maria Shriver.
Wikimedia Commons
Schwarzenegger had a guest appearance on an episode of "The Apprentice: Los Angeles" in 2007, when he was governor of California. He invited contestants into his private conference room in Sacramento. Back then, Trump described the Governator as a "great friend."
NBC
Apparently he was such a great friend that a month later, Trump donated $10,000 to Schwarzenegger to help pay off debts from his 2006 re-election campaign. The donation got Schwarzenegger in hot water, as political watchdogs saw it as him using his celebrity status to solve his political problems.
Getty
In September 2015, NBC named Schwarzenegger to take over as host of "Celebrity Apprentice" following Trump's entrance into the the presidential race -- and after the candidate's statements about Mexicans prompted NBC Universal to cut its business ties with real estate mogul.
Getty
During Trump's presidential campaign, Schwarzenegger would not provide the same support, instead endorsing Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the Republican primary.
Getty
Even after Trump won the GOP nomination, Schwarzenegger took to social media to he would not vote for Trump...whom he would not refer to by name. "It's not only acceptable to choose your country over your party -- it is your duty," he said.
Trump struck back a few weeks before his inauguration in January 2017, mocking the low ratings Schwarzenegger was getting as host of "Celebrity Apprentice" while referring to himself as a "ratings machine." Trump had made similar taunts at Martha Stewart when she hosted her version of the reality show back in 2005.
NBC
Schwarzenegger responded by wishing Trump luck and saying that he hoped "you'll work for ALL of the American people as aggressively as you worked for your ratings."
NBC
In February 2017, President Trump mocked Schwarzenegger for his "Celebrity Apprentice" ratings at the ordinarily serious National Prayer Breakfast, calling on the crowd to "pray for Arnold."
Getty
In response, Schwarzenegger suggested in a Facebook video that he and Trump switch jobs: "You take over TV, because you're such an expert in ratings. And I take over your job. And then people can finally sleep comfortably again."