Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Predator Return Highly Likely After 2 Major Updates

Predator: Badlands director Dan Trachtenberg recently teased future plans for the franchise after meeting with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He hinted at Dutch’s potential return and discussed how recent developments could shape what comes next for the Predator universe.

Dan Trachtenberg is cooking something for Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator franchise

Arnold Schwarzenegger could return to the Predator franchise following Predator: Badlands, according to comments made by director Dan Trachtenberg at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. During the Hall H panel, Trachtenberg revealed he recently had breakfast with Schwarzenegger and is planning to “cook up stuff for that guy,” hinting at possible future involvement. (via Deadline)

Schwarzenegger last portrayed Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer in Predator (1987), and has not returned to the role in any of the franchise’s films released since. However, a new extended epilogue was added to Predator: Killer of Killers, now streaming on Hulu. It features Dutch in a floating cryo-pod alongside Danny Glover’s Mike Harrigan (Predator 2) and Amber Midthunder’s Naru (Prey). Trachtenberg confirmed he received Schwarzenegger’s approval to use his likeness for the animated scene.

Previous Predator films, including Predator 2, Predators, and The Predator, all attempted to bring Schwarzenegger back. In a 2017 interview with Yahoo! Movies, Schwarzenegger stated, “They asked me, and I read it, and I didn’t like it — whatever they offered. So I’m not going to do that, no.” He said he might return if they rewrote the role to make it more significant.

Trachtenberg, who directed Prey and Killer of Killers, now leads Predator: Badlands, starring Elle Fanning and set for release on November 7, 2025. The film explores an alliance between Fanning’s character, Thia, and a young Predator outcast. With a reported $100 million budget, the film is expected to set up broader connections across the Predator and Alien timelines.

Since Schwarzenegger has aged, a live-action return would require extensive de-aging. However, the success of Killer of Killers points to more likely future appearances in animated projects. The epilogue scene sets up Dutch for continued involvement, possibly in sequels or crossovers already in development within the franchise.

Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.

Source: Comingsoon.net