Arnold Schwarzenegger originally portrayed Major Alan Dutch Schaefer in the 1987 film Predator, directed by John McTiernan, and remains the only live-action portrayal of the character to date. Dutch’s presence extended into the franchise’s expanded universe, notably appearing frozen in cryogenic stasis during the epilogue of the animated movie Predator: Killer of Killers. This scene also featured characters like Danny Glover’s Lt. Mike Harrigan from Predator 2 (1990) and Amber Midthunder’s Naru from Prey (2022).
Discussions for Schwarzenegger’s Return Initiated
Director Dan Trachtenberg, who led Prey and Predator: Badlands, disclosed that he contacted Schwarzenegger to request permission to use his likeness in the animated scene. Trachtenberg has since expressed interest in developing a future project involving Schwarzenegger’s return as Dutch. This potential comeback was further affirmed by Predator: Badlands producer Ben Rosenblatt, who confirmed meetings between Trachtenberg and Schwarzenegger regarding the actor reprising the iconic role.
Obviously, the holy grail of Predator movies would be getting Arnold back in there,
Rosenblatt said.
And it’s always been something in the back of our minds that it would be really great to see him come back to this franchise that he’s made iconic, and that’s made him iconic. Arnold and Dan have met a couple of times now. He’s been really interested in what we’re doing, he’s a real fan of what we’ve done so far, from what I understand. And we’re really excited. After Badlands, we’ll see and have more conversations.
– Ben Rosenblatt, Producer
Potential for a Major Crossover Event
Speculation has arisen about a large-scale team-up featuring Dutch alongside Naru, Harrigan, and Badlands characters Dek and Thia. Though 20th Century Studios, Disney, and Trachtenberg might have contemplated such an event, the director has made it clear that a crossover combining all these characters is not an immediate plan. Instead, his focus remains on carefully expanding the franchise’s narrative rather than simply merging characters for spectacle.
Predator: Badlands and New Additions to the Franchise
Predator: Badlands, helmed by Dan Trachtenberg, represents a fresh chapter in the Predator Universe, set on a dangerous, uncharted planet in the future. The story centers on a young Predator outcast played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who forms an unlikely bond with Thia, portrayed by Elle Fanning. Thia is one of two Weyland-Yutani synths brought to life by Fanning, highlighting the series’ mix of human and technological elements.
The film is produced by a team including John Davis, Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O’Connor. It is scheduled for theatrical release on November 7, with formats such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, Cinemark XD, 4DX, and ScreenX offering enhanced viewing experiences.
Elle Fanning enters the Badlands as not one, but two Weyland-Yutani synths. Go behind the scenes with her and director Dan Trachtenberg, and experience Predator: Badlands in theaters this Friday. Get tickets now: https://t.co/axQaPq4ABO pic.twitter.com/16nI3bnPnY
– Predator Official Twitter
Significance and Future Prospects for the Franchise
The talks of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s potential return signal a promising development for fans who have long associated the Predator franchise with his role as Dutch. His involvement would bridge the original film’s legacy with new stories that expand the universe’s scope and introduce fresh characters. As Predator: Badlands prepares for release, anticipation builds around how the franchise will evolve, balancing respect for its roots while exploring innovative narratives under Trachtenberg’s direction.
#PredatorBadlands producer Ben Rosenblatt teases that Arnold Schwarzenegger has met with Dan Trachtenberg about reprising his role as Dutch from the original ‘Predator’ in an upcoming sequel after making an animated cameo in ‘Predator: Killer of Killers’ https://t.co/hFy9nFoJ8Y pic.twitter.com/MElNJkWL8D
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) November 4, 2025
Elle Fanning enters the Badlands as not one, but two Weyland-Yutani synths.
Go behind the scenes with her and director Dan Trachtenberg, and experience Predator: Badlands in theaters this Friday. Get tickets now: https://t.co/axQaPq4ABO pic.twitter.com/16nI3bnPnY
— Predator (@Predator) November 4, 2025
