The alien hunter known as the Predator was created by screenwriter brothers Jim and John Thomas and physically designed for the 1987 film by special effects artist Stan Winston.

Who “created” Predator?

There are really two key parts to its creation:

  1. Concept and character
    • The idea of an extraterrestrial big‑game hunter stalking elite human soldiers in the jungle was developed by brothers Jim and John Thomas , who wrote the original script (then titled Hunter).
 * They shaped the core theme: what it means for humans, usually the hunters, to become the hunted.
  1. Visual design and creature effects
    • The iconic look of the Predator (dreadlock‑like hair, mandibles, armor, and high‑tech gear) was created by Stan Winston , a legendary special effects and creature designer.
 * Winston refined the final design while traveling with director James Cameron, who suggested adding mandibles, which became one of the Predator’s most recognizable features.

So, in short:

  • Story and character concept: Jim and John Thomas.
  • On‑screen creature design: Stan Winston.