Speaking on IGN’s Comic-Con live show today, The Predator director Shane Black said the previous movies in the franchise did happen in the history of this new one.
When asked about where The Predator fits into the greater Predator universe, Black said “this is a sequel, it’s not a reboot.” That means that none of the movies are explicitly being retconned or ignored as far as we know.
“The first movie in 1987 introduced people that are remembered and noted in this one,” Black explained. “The difference is now that with these repeated trips to Earth and these different incursions, humanity has noticed now.”
Source: IGN.com The Predator Director Says New Movie Isn’t a Reboot