Dan Trachtenberg Confirms ‘Predator’ Future Amid Major Studio Shift
The Hunt Continues: Dan Trachtenberg Confirms ‘Predator’ Future Amid Major Studio Shift
LOS ANGELES — Reports of the Yautja’s extinction have been greatly exaggerated. Despite a major career move that saw director Dan Trachtenberg sign a three-year first-look deal with Paramount Pictures last week, the filmmaker has officially confirmed that his time in the Predator universe is far from over.
Speaking with Gizmodo and ScreenRant yesterday, Trachtenberg addressed fan concerns that his departure to Paramount would stall the momentum of 20th Century Studios’ revitalized sci-fi franchise. Instead, the director revealed he is "simultaneously figuring out all the next steps," suggesting a multi-front expansion of the lore is already in motion.
‘Prey 2’ and the Return of Naru
The most anticipated update involves the direct sequel to 2022’s breakout hit Prey. Trachtenberg confirmed that conversations regarding Prey 2 remain a top priority. While plot details are being kept under cloaking, the director hinted at exploring "what would be special" for the next chapter of Naru’s story.
Industry insiders suggest the sequel may finally address the mystery of the 1715 Raphael Adolini flintlock pistol, potentially showing how the weapon transitioned from Naru’s hands back to the Greyback Elder seen in 1990’s Predator 2. Amber Midthunder has frequently expressed her eagerness to return, stating in recent interviews that she is "ready for the hunt."
The ‘Badlands’ Aftermath
The update comes as Predator: Badlands, the franchise's newest theatrical entry starring Elle Fanning, prepares for its streaming debut on Hulu and Disney+ tomorrow 12th February.
Despite a modest $184.6 million (£137 million) worldwide box office run in late 2025, Badlands has been hailed by fans for its "big, crazy swing", shifting the protagonist role to a Yautja outcast named Dek. Trachtenberg noted that the film’s "entry point" style allows for even more experimental stories within the universe, including a potential live-action follow-up to Dek’s journey.
Animated Expansion: ‘Killer of Killers’
Further solidifying the "Predator Era" is the recent success of the animated anthology Predator: Killer of Killers. The project, which was developed in secret alongside Badlands, has opened doors for non-traditional storytelling.
The anthology’s finale, which featured a shocking stasis farm on the Yautja home world containing both Naru and a young Dutch Schaefer (the character famously played by Arnold Schwarzenegger), has provided the ultimate "connective tissue" for future crossovers. Trachtenberg teased that the concept of "multiple time periods" in animation is something he remains "very excited about."
A Balancing Act at Paramount
While Trachtenberg’s new deal at Paramount allows him to pursue original projects, with rumours swirling of a potential World War Z revival or a return to the Cloverfield universe, he was firm that his heart remains in the jungle.
“I am definitely not going to only make Predator movies,” Trachtenberg said on the AvP Galaxy podcast. “But I can tell stories [in this franchise] that have thematic weight. I definitely have a vision for more Predator films, and other kinds of films in that universe.”
With Badlands hitting home screens this week and Prey 2 in active development, the trophy room is only getting bigger. For the most dangerous hunters in the galaxy, the next few years look like a target-rich environment.
