A couple weeks back it was rumored that Nimrod Antal was the top name on the short list direct Predators for 20th Century Fox. Tonight, producer Robert Rodriguez has now confirmed to AICN that Antal is the filmmaker he has hand-picked to direct the film.

When I saw Armored, I could tell he’s also great with action and has a keen eye for casting. He reminded me of Quentin with how he was able to work with a group of very strong, singular actor talents and make it look effortless. I know he’ll be able to get the most out of what we want to be an outstanding cast. We really want to go with a character driven action movie, because that’s what we all remember about the original Predator, and we want to take it even further with this.

Rodriguez confirms that he will be very hands on, saying that this collaboration “doesn’t feel very different than my collaboration on Sin City, working with Frank Miller and Quentin. It’s one for all and all for one.” Wow, that sounds pretty hands on. Rodriguez had previously said that he might walk over to the sound-stage and shoot a few scenes himself. I doubted that any filmmaker would welcome that kind of collaboration with a producer, but it sounds like Robert has found a willing filmmaker.

He also says that KNB will be providing the practical effects and at least 60% of the film will be shot in Austin Texas this Fall. He gives very little information about the film’s plot, only that it “still involves a very intense group of people stranded on a Predator planet discovering unspeakable horrors (that are not always from outside their group). So like the original movie, the title does have a double meaning.” Read the full interview over on AICN.