Arnold Schwarzenegger Confirms Return for New 'Predator' Sequel

The iconic action star will reprise his role as Dutch in an upcoming installment of the sci-fi franchise.

Mar. 9, 2026 at 12:33pm

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Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed that he is in talks with director Dan Trachtenberg to appear in the next Predator film. Schwarzenegger played the lead role of Dutch in the original 1987 Predator movie and has long been rumored to return to the franchise. Trachtenberg, who directed the recent Predator films Prey and Predator: Badlands, is reportedly eager to bring Schwarzenegger back and feature him alongside other Predator survivors like Prey's Naru, in what could be an Avengers-style team-up.

Why it matters

Schwarzenegger's return to the Predator franchise would be a major event for action movie fans, as the original 1987 film is considered a classic of the genre. His character Dutch was the sole survivor of the Predator attack, and fans have long hoped to see him back on screen battling the iconic alien hunter. Trachtenberg's recent Predator films have been well-received, and the prospect of an ensemble cast of Predator survivors teaming up is an exciting prospect that could revitalize the franchise.

The details

In an appearance at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, Schwarzenegger revealed that he has spoken with director Dan Trachtenberg about reprising his role as Dutch. Trachtenberg, who directed the recent Predator films Prey and Predator: Badlands, is reportedly eager to bring Schwarzenegger back and feature him alongside other Predator survivors. The final moments of last year's animated anthology film Predator: Killer of Killers hinted that Dutch is still alive and being kept in suspended animation, potentially setting up his return in a future live-action installment.

  • In 1987, Schwarzenegger starred as Dutch in the original Predator film.
  • Last year, the animated film Predator: Killer of Killers hinted that Dutch is still alive.

The players

Arnold Schwarzenegger

An iconic action movie star who played the lead role of Dutch in the original 1987 Predator film.

Dan Trachtenberg

The director of the recent Predator films Prey and Predator: Badlands, who is reportedly eager to bring Schwarzenegger back to the franchise.

Naru

The hero of the 2022 Predator film Prey, who is rumored to team up with Dutch in a future installment.

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What they’re saying

“They did an additional Predator, and the director (Dan Trachtenberg) has been doing a great job of that. Now, he wants me to be in the next Predator. We've talked about it. As a matter of fact, FOX studios has kind of rediscovered 'Arnold'. They've come to me and said, 'We want you to do Predator.'”

— Arnold Schwarzenegger

What’s next

Schwarzenegger's potential return to the Predator franchise is still in the early stages of discussion, but if it moves forward, it could lead to an exciting team-up between Dutch and other Predator survivors like Naru.

The takeaway

Schwarzenegger's return to the Predator franchise would be a major event for action movie fans, as it would reunite one of the genre's most iconic stars with one of its most beloved characters. The prospect of an ensemble cast of Predator survivors teaming up under the direction of Dan Trachtenberg is an exciting one that could revitalize the franchise and deliver a thrilling new chapter in the Predator saga.