Rodriguez 'to relaunch Predator'

Robert Rodriguez worked with Quentin Tarantino on Grindhouse

Sin City director Robert Rodriguez will relaunch the Predator science fiction horror franchise with a new movie, according to trade magazine Variety.

His script for Predators will bring back the cult alien hunter introduced in the 1987 original, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Variety said.

The director is also reported to be co-directing a film based on a character featured in his 2007 movie Grindhouse.

The knife-wielding ex-policeman Machete appeared in a mock trailer in the film.

The full-length feature will see Machete intent on revenge after being wronged by a corrupt senator, Variety said.

A Predator sequel, in 1990, was followed by the crossover Alien vs Predator film in 2004 and its 2007 follow-up, Alien vs Predator: Requiem.