Dan Trachtenberg Inks Paramount First-Look Deal — Is Predator Next on the Slate?

Dan Trachtenberg just went from the jungle to the mountain. After giving Predator a serious jolt with a three-film streak — Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers, and Predator: Badlands — he is setting up a new home base at Paramount with a three-year first-look deal. Translation: the studio gets first crack at his next feature ideas, which he will develop, direct, and produce with his longtime producing partner, Ben Rosenblatt.

Back at the mountain

This is a full-circle moment for Trachtenberg. His debut feature, 10 Cloverfield Lane, was a Paramount project, so he is returning to familiar turf. He is leaning into it, too.

"As a kid I remember seeing the Paramount logo and dreaming of the epic adventure that would follow. Now to have the opportunity to bring new huge and emotional stories to giant screens is a literally a dream come true. Ben and I cannot wait to join Dana, Josh, Don, and the entire Paramount team in pursuing our shared vision of making Paramount once again the apex of cinema."

The studio is equally hyped. Paramount co-chairs Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg called out his knack for scale and suspense, saying:

"Dan has an extraordinary ability to deliver films that are both daring and deeply entertaining. He has a rare instinct for tension, scale, and storytelling that connects with audiences worldwide. We’re excited to welcome him to the studio."

So... what happens to Predator?

Fair question. Trachtenberg has made it pretty clear he still has gas in the tank for that franchise. Before Badlands even hit, he teased the idea of bringing Arnold Schwarzenegger back as Dutch. He has also floated a follow-up to Prey.

Here is the practical reality: we do not have the fine print on this new deal. First-look arrangements are not handcuffs — they just give Paramount the first look at his new feature pitches. It does not automatically shut the door on him working with other studios, including the one holding Predator.

• Trachtenberg’s three-year pact covers feature projects at Paramount; if the studio passes, he can take them elsewhere.
• He has openly mused about Dutch returning and has teased a Prey continuation.
• Where this leaves his Predator run with Disney is TBD until we see how this deal gets put into practice.
• Meanwhile, Predator: Badlands starts streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on February 12.

For what it is worth, I am totally fine if someone else steps in for the next hunt. Part of the appeal of Predator — same with Alien — is seeing different filmmakers spin it their way. Sometimes you get a banger, sometimes you do not, but the remixing is the fun of it. Trachtenberg taking big swings at Paramount while the Yautja keeps evolving elsewhere? That sounds like a win-win.