We’ve got some bittersweet news to report on tonight for those of you eagerly anticipating Shane Black’s The Predator. THR is telling us that Benicio Del Toro has bowed out of the film today, after having his eye on the lead role for some time. The studio cites scheduling issues as the reason for his departure, and given how busy the actor has been lately, we’re inclined to believe them.
But as one name goes another one enters, and that would be Mr. Boyd Holbrook. Hot off season 2 of Netflix’s Narcos, and with a big role in the upcoming Logan, the actor will board Black’s reboot and take the lead as Quinn McKenna, with the studio planning to “beef up the supporting cast” to make up for the fact that Holbrook’s name isn’t quite as big a draw as Del Toro’s.
Directing from a script he wrote with Fred Dekker, Shane Black has been fairly quiet about The Predator so far. We really don’t know very much about the plot, and with filming not set to get underway until next year, we’ll likely be in the dark for a while longer.
The Predator is set for a theatrical release on February 9th, 2018. Tell us, are you upset or excited by this casting change? Sound off in the comments section below with your thoughts!