Original Predator star Arnold Schwarzenegger was asked to return to the franchise for Shane Black's The Predator, but the action icon turned it down because he wanted a "more significant role." Originally released theatrically way back in 1987, acclaimed action movie director John McTiernan and 1980s Hollywood heavyweight Schwarzenegger teamed up for one of the most iconic science-fiction thrillers of the late 20th century in the form of Predator. Building upon the legacy of the original feature film - in addition to the three subsequent installments that followed - writer and director Shane Black is all set to turn heads early next year with The Predator.

Serving as the immediate followup to his darkly funny throwback comedy The Nice Guys from last summer, The Predator is all set to reinvigorate the franchise for a whole new audience of 21st century viewers following the release of Predators in 2010. The new movie is set to feature plenty of R-rated material and content, though it has been announced that Schwarznegger's involvement in the project is unlikely. Despite initial talks of a cameo appearance from the former Australian body-builder, Schwarzenegger has come forward to voice his own reasons for not joining the cast of Black's latest production.

In an interview with Yahoo! Movies, Schwarzenegger was more than willing to respond to his waning interest in being involved with The Predator, with the primary sticking point coming down to the quality of the script and the extent to which his role would play into the finished production. Speaking candidly about his feelings towards Black and company and the franchise reboot and his involvement in it, Schwarzenegger stated:

"They asked me, and I read it, and I didn’t like it — whatever they offered. So I’m not going to do that, no. 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."

Despite a definite interest in making more Terminator movies, it would appear that Schwarzenegger isn't overly eager to return to the Predator franchise with quite the same amount of enthusiasm. In response to the leading man's qualms with taking part in The Predator, Black responded to a fan query on Twitter in which he referred to speaking with Schwarzenegger and being told that the actor didn't think he had, "Enough presence in the film." Check out the full Twitter exchange in question below:

@iamJermaineP @MPredator24 Me too... I spoke with him, I think it was that he didn't have enough to do. Enough presence in the film.— Shane Black (@BonafideBlack) April 6, 2017

 It would have been undeniably exciting to see the likes of Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer make a bold return to the big screen in The Predator, which only makes Schwarzenegger's reluctance to do so all the more disheartening. The again, perhaps Black and company will be better served by a clean break from all of the trappings of past entries in the franchise, and The Predator will breathe thrilling new life into the much beloved action blockbuster property.

Source: Yahoo! Movies