Elements of the film's plot were ap

Elements of the film's plot were apparently taken from the original Predator comic book series from Dark Horse Comics, published the previous year, which likewise centers around a Predator preying on warring gangs in an urban setting (New York City, as opposed to Los Angeles) and the attempts of the city's police force to stop the creature. Editor and artist Chris Warner, who illustrated the original Predator comic, has confirmed that elements in the film were directly inspired by the Dark Horse series, noting that this was "probably the first time that a comics series actually had an effect on the film franchise that inspired it".[2]

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred as Dutch in the 1987 film, was originally intended to reprise his role in the sequel. However, Schwarzenegger declined the part following a pay dispute.[3] The Dutch character was subsequently rewritten as Peter Keyes (Gary Busey). Returning to the role of Anna in the sequel, Elpidia Carrillo was originally intended to be in two scenes, but the part was cut back to a brief cameo appearance on a video screen in the government agents' surveillance trailer. Her character is seen amidst footage of the damage to the Central American jungle caused by the explosion at the conclusion of the first film. Actor Henry Kingi, who had an uncredited role as a guerrilla killed by Dutch in Predator, also appeared in Predator 2, albeit as a different character. Filming took place at Fox Studios in Los Angeles and on location around the city.


The Xenomorph skull in the trophy room.
Predator 2 heralded the first cinematic crossover between the Alien and Predator franchises when a Xenomorph Warrior's skull appeared in the trophy cabinet aboard the Mother Ship near the end of the film. The skull was included at the suggestion of effects artists John Rosengrant and Shane Mahan, both of whom had worked on Aliens as well as Predator 2. They proposed the idea as something of a joke, and also as a nod to the original Aliens vs. Predator comic book story, which had been published earlier in the year.[4] The skull prop was sculpted by Kevin Hudson.[4] As with many props from Predator 2, the Alien skull was later reported stolen to the Los Angeles Police Department.[5]