10 Actors Who Refused To Return For Sequels To Acclaimed Films

By the time science fiction horror flick Predator (1987) landed on our screens, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a bonafide action move star. He'd helped make the likes of Conan the Barbarian (1982), The Terminator (1984) and Commando (1985) big box office successes and he proved to be a major draw once again when John McTiernan's now iconic alien feature burst onto the scene.

So, the studio were understandably desperate to sign Arnie up to the sequel. Yet, the former Mr. Olympia wasn't a huge fan of the script and specifically didn't like the concept of moving the conflict between man and Predator into the city and away from the jungle. He was also rumoured not to be happy with his proposed salary for appearing in Predator 2 (1990), either. After ultimately opting not to return, the film eventually went on without him.

Years later, Arnie very nearly made his triumphant return to the franchise in Shane Black's The Predator (2018). However, the megastar again turned down an offer to show up in a Preda-sequel as he didn't like the size of the role which was offered to him.

It definitely would've been cool to see Alan "Dutch" Schaefer taking on a Predator one more time. But, after sitting through Black's lacklustre attempt to revitalise the franchise, it's clear Schwarzenegger made the right decision in dodging his long awaited showdown with the killing machine on this occasion.