The Predator: Shane Black's reboot could be adding Benicio Del Toro to its cast

Against the odds, a sixth instalment of the Predator franchise - which is currently titled The Predator - will hit cinemas in 2018, and the first bit of casting news for the Shane Black directed reboot has been revealed.

Deadline reports that Oscar-winning actor Benicio del Toro is in early talks to star in the film, and while the site has no details of the role he's playing The Hollywood Reporter notes that Del Toro will be the lead of the ensemble movie if the deal goes through.

Between Guardians of the Galaxy, his upcoming role in Star Wars 8, Sicario (which looks like it might be getting a sequel), and now The Predator, Del Toro has jumped aboard a lot of franchises lately. As someone who is a fan of those franchises as well as great acting that makes me pretty happy, and Del Toro potentially teaming with Black - who is coming off one of the best films of 2016 in The Nice Guys - is an exciting prospect.

Directed by Shane Black, The Predator is released in cinemas on March 2, 2018.

Images: Lionsgate/20th Century Fox

Amon is a contributing editor and columnist for Empire magazine, but is also a Film and TV writer for GamesRadar+, Total Film, and others. He has also written for NME, Composer Mag, and more, along with being a film critic for TalkSport. He is also the co-host of the Fade to Black Podcast, and a video mashup creator. Can also do a pretty good Bane impersonation.