The spider-faced alien known as "El cazador trofeo de los hombres" (the demon who makes trophies of men) started as a wide range of ideas - from actor Jean-Claude Van Damme to a monkey in a red special effects suit. Eventually, however, first-time director John McTiernan (Die Hard) had the suit -- and alien -- redesigned by Star Wars veteran Stan Winston. With the change from a long-necked, dog-faced, one-eyed alien to a metal-armored, camouflaged, spider-mandibled giant (the last being the idea of James Cameron), the role was given to seven foot tall actor Kevin Peter Hall (Harry in Harry and the Hendersons). The film would also star three future state gubernatorial candidates in Arnold Schwarzenegger (California), Jesse Ventura (Minnesota), and Sonny Landham (Kentucky). The studio also cast writer Shane Black, not so much for his acting skills, but in order to have a spy on set who could keep tabs on McTiernan’s progress.

When a U.S. Special Forces team is sent into the South American jungle in search of a kidnapped Guatemalan Cabinet Minister, it seems like business as usual for the rough-and-tumble leathernecks. Led by Dutch (Schwarzenegger), the team, along with CIA operative Dillon, goes in search of the minister’s crashed helicopter. But things get fishy when the crash site reveals a reconnaissance chopper instead of a transport. Odder still is the precision with which the bird was shot down. The confusion becomes revulsion when the team discovers the bodies of three U.S soldiers, skinned and hung like trophies. After attacking the targeted guerilla camp and discovering more incongruities, Dillon reveals that the story about the minister was a fraud. With one prisoner and no answers, the team proceeds toward their extraction point.

But in their attempt to reach safety, they find terror as one by one, they are systematically hunted down and slaughtered by a mysterious hunter. Armed with thermal vision, active camouflage, and advanced weaponry, the alien predator avoids their traps and defensive countermeasures, relishing the challenge of tracking them down and finishing them until only Dutch and the prisoner remain. With no interest in the unarmed prisoner, the predator ignores her escape to the extraction point as it turns its attention to the savviest of its prey. Now, armed with only primitive weapons and ingenuity, Dutch decides to turn the tables. Both are predators. Both are prey. But only one can survive.

In addition to $60 million at the domestic theaters, the “Predator” character became a merchandizing hit. Predator comic books, novels, and video games have expanded upon the creature’s culture and characteristics, including previous encounters with Earth at various points in history. The film became a franchise in 1990 with the making of Predator 2, starring Danny Glover. A crossover series featuring the title character from the popular Alien franchise would also result in books, comics, video games, and even the 2005 film.