In the vast landscape of the Predator franchise, one individual has eclipsed the monster’s fame – Arnold Schwarzenegger. Two of his most iconic lines, “Get to the chopper!” and “If it bleeds, we can kill it,” originate from the 1987 film. However, despite his legendary status, Schwarzenegger has not returned to portray Dutch—the first Predator slayer—in any of the seven live-action sequels to Predator.
It seems that a significant shift is on the horizon. As per Ben Rosenblatt, the producer of Predator – Badlands, the 78-year-old actor is keen on reprising his role.
Reports indicate that Schwarzenegger has already had several meetings with director Dan Trachtenberg, and he has shown great enthusiasm for the revitalized franchise since Trachtenberg’s Prey (2002). Based on their discussions to date, it appears that the actor’s comeback is just around the corner.
“Clearly, the ultimate goal for Predator films would be to bring Arnold back into the fold,” Rosenblatt shared with media channels during the premiere of Predator – Badlands in Los Angeles, California.
According to Ben Rosenblatt, “It’s always lingered in our thoughts—that it would be fantastic to witness his return to this franchise that he has helped make legendary, and which has also contributed to his own legendary status. We will engage in further discussions. Ideally, we will get the opportunity to collaborate with Arnold, as that would be incredible.”
Earlier in 2025, Schwarzenegger’s character made a short animated cameo in Predator – Killer of Killers. Additionally, he lent his voice to the Predator – Hunting Grounds video game back in 2020. However, if Schwarzenegger makes a physical return in the upcoming Predator film, he could also find himself stepping into another iconic monster franchise – Alien.
Predator – Badlands clearly links to the character’s past, showcasing his confrontations with fellow extraterrestrial adversaries in Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator – Requiem (2007). This connection is further emphasized by the inclusion of Weyland Yutani, one of the most notable robotics companies from the Alien franchise.
Additionally, Weyland Yutani features in the new Alien – Earth TV series, hinting at the possibility of another clash between these iconic foes on the horizon. It’s worth noting that Disney’s acquisition of the 20th Century Studios catalog in 2017 means they now own both franchises, adding to the excitement of potential future encounters.
According to Dan Trachtenberg, “At times, a ‘versus’ film can feel like it’s merely throwing all the action figures together for a chaotic mash-up, but I found it fascinating to blend an aspect from one franchise with another. Will fans witness a genuine crossover down the line? I have a hunch that Schwarzenegger would be open to incorporating another iconic movie monster into his repertoire.”