Prior to attaining worldwide fame as a action star, Jean-Claude Van Damme had an opportunity to portray one of science fiction’s most legendary movie monsters. Before he was recognized for his signature splits and martial arts skills in movies like “Bloodsport”, Van Damme was initially chosen to play the original creature in the 1987 film “Predator“, directed by John McTiernan. This casting, which could have significantly impacted both the movie and Van Damme’s career path, resulted in one of Hollywood’s most debated dismissals. The reason for Van Damme leaving the set of Predator before filming was completed is a topic of at least six different versions, making it one of cinema’s most intriguing “what if” scenarios.
Back in the day, when I was just starting to make a name for myself in Tinseltown, landing the role of the Predator in the iconic 1987 sci-fi action flick was a real game-changer. Up until that point, Hollywood hadn’t exactly recognized my talent – my most prominent credit being a Russian antagonist in the 1986 martial arts film, “No Retreat, No Surrender.” Hungry for a breakthrough role, I would frequently drop by Jackie Burch’s office, demonstrating my moves and pleading for a chance.
Finally, Jackie took notice of my impressive physical prowess and suggested me to producer Joel Silver. In her words, “Jean-Claude Van Damme was someone who constantly visited my office, jumping up in the air showing off his skills, begging for work.” She believed that my unique movement style would make me an ideal fit for the role of the Predator. Little did I know that this opportunity would catapult me to stardom and establish me as a formidable action star!
The initial Predator design deviated significantly from the fearsome mandible-faced character we eventually saw on screen. Early ideas depicted an alien with a more insectoid appearance, featuring a flexible exoskeleton and nimble movements suitable for stealthily navigating through dense jungle foliage. Jean-Claude Van Damme’s exceptional agility and martial arts expertise made him an ideal fit for this portrayal. As he put it, “They had me running around the studio, leaping like a dancer. [They said], ‘He can jump very high.’ He was perfect for the role.
Contrary to what Jean-Claude Van Damme had envisioned, the situation turned out to be quite different. Instead of the “snug leotard with half-human, half-animal makeup” he imagined, he discovered himself enclosed in a complete rubber suit that significantly limited his mobility and sight. As he put it, “My head was in my neck, my hands were in my forearms, and there were cables attached to my fingers to move the creature’s head and jaws. My feet were in its calves, so I was on stilts. It was a repulsive costume.” This restrictive setup made it almost impossible for him to demonstrate the very talents that had earned him the job.
What’s The Truth Behind Van Damme’s Departure From Predator?
The tale surrounding Jean-Claude Van Damme’s exit from the film Predator has grown into a well-known Hollywood lore, filled with conflicting stories from those involved. According to Van Damme, the straw that broke the camel’s back was when producer Joel Silver asked him to carry out a risky stunt which he considered too perilous. “When Joel requested that I jump, I could sense it wasn’t going to end well,” Van Damme reminisced. In his rendition of the story, his decision to decline resulted in his termination, with his stunt double later sustaining injuries while executing the same maneuver.
Different individuals involved in the making of the film present contrasting narratives about Jean-Claude Van Damme’s dismissal. Bill Duke, who portrayed Mac, asserted that Van Damme was let go due to frequent fainting spells from heat exhaustion while wearing an uncomfortable costume in the oppressive jungle environment. Craig Baxley, the second unit director, offered a different perspective, suggesting that Van Damme was fired following his destruction of an expensive creature head out of frustration. Richard Chaves, who played Poncho, proposed that Fox executives disliked the initial creature design shown in early footage as the reason for Van Damme’s termination. John Davis, the producer, claimed that Van Damme was deemed too short for the role, stating that “He was the original Predator until we realized the Predator couldn’t be five-foot-six.” Lastly, director McTiernan, in an interview with MovieFone, contends that he never filmed any scenes with Van Damme and the actor had no interest in the role from its inception.
Regardless of the underlying cause, the end result remained consistent: Jean-Claude Van Damme left the production, the initial Predator design was abandoned, and renowned special effects artist Stan Winston stepped in to craft the creature we recognize today. In the revised costume, Kevin Peter Hall, towering over seven feet, took over from Van Damme, significantly altering both the appearance and movement pattern of the alien hunter.
The impact of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s short stint on the Predator movie surprisingly worked out favorably for everyone involved. For the film itself, Winston’s redesign resulted in one of cinema’s most frightening and iconic alien adversaries. The character, with its jawed mandible and dreadlocks, quickly became famous, giving birth to a franchise that persists until now.
Initially viewing his departure from “Predator” as a career setback, it ultimately proved to be Van Damme’s stepping stone towards fame. Following his exit, he was offered the role in “Bloodsport,” a film that propelled him to international stardom upon its release in February 1988. Throughout the late ’80s and ’90s, he rose to become one of action cinema’s biggest stars, gracing films such as “Kickboxer,” “Universal Soldier,” and “Timecop.” Had he stayed in the Predator suit, his martial arts prowess and charm might have gone unnoticed by audiences for years. It’s intriguing to speculate about what transpired on the set of “Predator” and the reasons behind Van Damme’s departure – share your thoughts below!
You can stream Predator movies on platforms like Tubi, and the most recent addition to the series, Prey, is currently available for streaming on Hulu-Disney+. Additionally, two fresh Predator films have been announced for future release; one will be released via streaming services, while the other will hit cinemas.
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2025-03-02 22:10