He’s Back On The Hunt: Arnold Schwarzenegger Returns For New Predator Sequel

Predator has been on a hot streak lately, and the franchise might be about to cash in its biggest chip: bringing Arnold Schwarzenegger back as Dutch. Yes, that Dutch.

So, is Arnold actually coming back?

Sounds likely. While speaking at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, Schwarzenegger said he has talked with director Dan Trachtenberg — the guy who steered the franchise back on course with Prey and is cooking up more — about returning to the series.

"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'."

That is about as direct as it gets. No coy teases. No maybe-if schedules align. Just: they want him, and he’s into it.

What does this mean for Predator (and beyond)?

Trachtenberg has been expanding the sandbox. Beyond Prey, he’s developing another Predator installment, and there was a recent animated anthology, Predator: Killer of Killers, that quietly set the table for a legacy reunion. Its final moments revealed that Dutch survived his old Yautja encounter and is now in suspended animation alongside other winners of past hunts — including Prey’s Naru (Amber Midthunder). That setup practically begs for an all-timers crossover, and Trachtenberg has already teased something like an Avengers-style team-up down the road. If that path goes live-action, de-aging Arnold is absolutely on the menu.

Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger says the studio’s renewed interest in him doesn’t stop with Predator. They’re also eyeing new entries in the Conan the Barbarian and Commando franchises. Those have both flirted with comebacks for years, but at this moment, a Predator return feels the safest bet.

A quick refresher (and why this matters)

The original 1987 Predator is still the gold standard: a jungle rescue mission goes sideways when an alien hunter wipes out an elite team until Dutch is the last man standing. Decades of sequels and spin-offs never fully nailed that mix again — until Trachtenberg’s Prey, which reminded everyone how sharp this series can be when it strips down and commits.

• Schwarzenegger says he has talked with Trachtenberg and the studio wants him back for the next Predator.
• Killer of Killers ends with Dutch revealed alive in stasis, alongside Naru (Amber Midthunder) and other survivors — a built-in crossover hook that could involve de-aging.
• Trachtenberg has hinted at a big team-up story in the future.
• The studio is also exploring new Conan the Barbarian and Commando sequels, but Predator looks the most immediate.

I wouldn’t expect Trachtenberg to do the obvious nostalgia play. Prey proved he’s not here to color inside the lines. But Dutch and Naru sharing the screen? That’s the kind of move you circle on the calendar.