10 Classic Movie Monsters With Unexpected Origins

6. The Predator Was Influenced By Rastafarian Warriors

There are few creatures in sci-fi lore as iconic as the Predator, and director John McTiernan smartly hired late visual effects wizard Stan Winston to conceptualise and execute the titular monster's design.

Winston received some most random inspiration, however, when meeting with producer Joel Silver, who had a painting of a Rastafarian warrior in his office.

Winston said, "I saw that and I thought it was a great starting concept for the Predator. I started drawing and designing this alien character with quills that in silhouette would look like dreadlocks."

Furthermore, we have none other than James Cameron to thank for the Predator's distinctive mandibles, which was casually suggested by the Terminator filmmaker while sat on a plane next to Winston during pre-production.

Hilariously, Winston humbly appreciated how much assistance he had creating the Predator, "Between the Rastafarian painting in Joel Silver's office and the mandible idea from Jim Cameron, I came up with 'Stan Winston's Predator'. And I take complete credit for it, even though I had nothing to do with it, obviously!"