Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the peak of his 1980s action powers in 1987’sPredator, and a long-standing internet theory completely changes how important his character Dutch is to science-fiction cinema.Predatorfeatured Schwarzenegger and a host of other 1980s action icons trying to survive anunseen extraterrestrial hunter of the Yautja speciesin a Central American jungle. Schwarzenegger’s Alan “Dutch” Schaefer is the only member of his paramilitary rescue team to survive the creature and escape the jungle. While there have been multiple sequels and spinoffs toPredator, Schwarzenegger’s Dutch never made another appearance in the franchise.
However, one internet theory posits that Dutch’s story extended far beyond the events ofPredator, and is actually the basis for a cross-over with another major sci-fi franchise. While it requires some assumptions and non-canonical support, the theory actually introduces the idea that two, if not three of the biggest sci-fi movie series of all time are part of one interconnected universe. If the theory is correct, then Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch provides a path forthePredatorfranchiseto tie directly into theTerminatorfranchise, and subsequently theAlienfranchise.
Predator Teases the Grim Final Fate of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch
Predator is teasing the return of Dutch Schaefer, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the original 1987 film, which could reveal his grim final fate.
Predator’s Dutch Was The Real Model For The T-800 – Theory Explained
Taking down a Predator proved he was the perfect baseline soldier
A Redditor suggested on the subredditr/FanTheoriesthatSchwarzenegger’s Dutch wound up being the baseline model for the T-800 Terminator. Aside from the fact that the same actor plays both characters, there is evidence across both franchises to support the idea. The novelization forPredator 2notes that Dutch actually contracted radiation poisoning from the jungle Yautja’s final explosion, and went on to vanish from a hospital, never to be seen again. The theory suggests that Cyberdyne exists in thePredatoruniverse, and they approached Dutch with a potential cure for his radiation sickness.
That cure was to turn him into a cyborg, just as they did with Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) inTerminator: Salvation.When Cyberdyne transformed into Skynet, the cyborg Dutch was activated as an agent for Skynet; the T-800 seen inTerminator: Salvationwas actually the cyborg Dutch. He was then used as the blueprint for the entire T-800 line. Cyberdyne, and subsequently Skynet, were aware that Dutch was able to take down a Yautja (which the government supposedly knew about for years), and therefore would be a formidable model for a cyborg/Terminator.
The Problems With The Terminator/Predator Crossover Theory
Much of the alleged evidence occurs far outside the cinematic canon
The biggest problem with the theory is that there are a ton of assumptions made. The baseline concept of Dutch turning into a cyborg actually has some evidence, as laid out byCracked; in theAlien vs. Predatorarcade game, there is a cyborg named Dutch Schaefer that certainly looks like Schwarzenegger’s Dutch. That would certainly support the Reddit theory, and open the door for the rest of the narrative to unfold. However, that video game is certainly not recognized as canon, andeverything about Dutch’s story afterPredatorbecomes an assumption.
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Predator: Badlands
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Another issue is that there already is a basis for the T-800 in the cinematic canon. A deleted scene fromTerminator 3: Rise of the Machinesfeatures the brass at Cyberdyne and a character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger named"Chief Master Sergeant William Candy", a special operative who is introduced as the physical model for the T-800. While this is a deleted scene and can of course be retconned, it serves as a much more legitimate origin for the T-800’s physical appearance than the cross-over assumption.
Predator Already Has A Complicated Crossover With Another Sci-Fi Franchise
Predator crosses over with theAlienfranchise, but not cleanly
Based on the existence of theAlien vs. Predatormovies, theAlienandPredatormovies are theoretically set in the same universe. Unfortunately, bothAlien vs. PredatorandAliens vs. Predator: Requiemfail to adhere to the timelines established by the individual franchises. While they certainly make a good match for the creature face-off, the franchises don’t exactly fit together seamlessly. Introducing theAVPmovies retroactively muddie both franchises, which is why some fans choose not to treat either movie as canon.
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Fede Álvarez pitches his idea for an Alien vs. Predator 3, with the Romulus director also wanting to co-direct it with a fellow franchise helmer.
Introducing theTerminatorfranchise to thePredatortimeline risks muddying things even further. The theory of Dutch being the basis for the T-800 certainly has sense in logic, butto actually pursue establishing that in the cinematic canon risks making a mess of both franchises. However, franchises have succeeded for years in ignoring sequels and spinoffs for the sake of creating a more seamless narrative and timeline. That’s the route that would make the most sense for aPredatorandTerminatorcross-over, and would certainly be worth trying to get acybernetic Yautjataking on a T-800.
Predator
Cast
A team of elite commandos led by Major Dutch Schaefer is sent on a rescue mission deep in the Central American jungle. However, they soon find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior with advanced technology and a penchant for collecting human trophies. As the creature picks them off one by one, Dutch must rely on his wits and combat skills to survive the ultimate test of man versus alien.
