# The Future of the Predator Franchise: What’s Next After Dan Trachtenberg’s Pivot?
*Updated: Sep 29, 2026 10:24am UTC*
The *Predator* universe currently finds itself at a crossroads. Following a string of creative triumphs that breathed new life into the iconic sci-fi series, director Dan Trachtenberg is shifting his focus toward a fresh, reimagined take on the *Sleeping Beauty* fairy tale for Disney. This development has left many enthusiasts questioning the immediate trajectory of the Yautja’s cinematic journey.
## Trachtenberg’s New Creative Horizon
While Trachtenberg is best known for his recent revitalization of the *Predator* brand, his upcoming slate is remarkably diverse. According to reports from [Deadline](https://deadline.com/2026/09/dan-trachtenberg-sleeping-beauty-disney-1237115289/), the filmmaker is currently in the early stages of developing a *Sleeping Beauty* project that promises to subvert the traditional narrative. Beyond his Disney collaboration, industry whispers suggest he is also deep into pre-production for an undisclosed feature film with Paramount. As of now, neither project has been assigned an official release window.
## The Legacy of the Recent Predator Renaissance
Trachtenberg’s impact on the franchise cannot be overstated. He successfully steered the series back to its roots with the critically acclaimed Prey (2022), which proved that the *Predator* formula thrives on tension and survivalist themes. He followed this success with the animated feature Predator: Killer of Killers and the 2025 release Predator: Badlands.
These projects didn’t just perform well; they expanded the lore significantly. For context, the *Predator* franchise has seen a massive resurgence in cultural relevance, with *Prey* becoming one of the most-watched premieres on its streaming platform at the time of its release.
## Unresolved Threads: Where Do We Go From Here?
Despite the director’s new commitments, the *Predator* narrative remains wide open. Both *Killer of Killers* and *Badlands* concluded with deliberate narrative hooks that demand resolution. *Badlands*, in particular, ended on a cliffhanger that has sparked intense debate across fan forums regarding the potential for a direct sequel.
Furthermore, the extended cut of *Killer of Killers* provided a massive “fan service” moment by featuring the return of legacy characters: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch and Danny Glover’s Mike Harrigan. By placing these legendary hunters in stasis, the franchise has essentially kept a “break glass in case of emergency” card ready for a future crossover or legacy sequel. Whether these characters return to face a new threat or serve as mentors to a new generation of protagonists remains the biggest question for the studio.
While Trachtenberg explores new genres, the foundation for the next chapter of the *Predator* saga is already firmly in place.
