‘Predator’ Mastermind Dan Trachtenberg Is Reportedly in Talks To Make a Marvel Movie
Dan Trachtenberg has spent the last few years turning the ‘Predator’ franchise into one of Hollywood’s most surprising comeback stories. Now the filmmaker may be ready to bring that touch to a much bigger sandbox. A new report suggests Marvel Studios wants him on board for a future project.
Trachtenberg’s recent track record has made him a hot commodity. He directed the last 3 ‘Predator’ films: ‘Prey’, ‘Killer of Killers’ and ‘Badlands’. ‘Badlands’ became the highest-grossing entry in the franchise’s 38-year history, earning $184.5 million worldwide and surpassing the previous record holder, 2004’s ‘Alien vs. Predator’.
Now The Cosmic Circus reports that the director could be heading to the MCU. According to the outlet’s sources, Marvel Studios has been in talks with Trachtenberg to direct one of the upcoming movies on its slate for the Mutant Saga. The report says he would both write and direct the film.
The exact project remains a mystery. The Cosmic Circus said it cannot confirm exactly which project Marvel has been looking at Trachtenberg to direct. However, the report says the film focuses more on a single character than an ensemble movie like ‘Midnight Sons’.
That has fans guessing. Given Trachtenberg’s sci-fi track record, the outlet speculated Marvel could be looking to him to finally bring ‘Nova’ to the big screen, or to direct a solo Mutant or X-Men spin-off. ‘Nova’ already has screenwriter Michael Waldron attached, though Waldron might want a crack at directing it as well.
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This wouldn’t be Trachtenberg’s first brush with the studio. He has said on the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast that Marvel approached him before the studio went with James Gunn for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. More than a decade later, it seems the two sides may finally be lining up.
He’s also no stranger to superheroes. Trachtenberg directed the pilot for Amazon series ‘The Boys’. His grounded, character-driven style could fit well with Marvel’s push toward its next chapter.
On November 7, witness the rise of the ultimate Predator. Watch the international trailer for Predator: Badlands, in theaters and IMAX November 7. https://t.co/3IDdNLxIad
— Predator (@Predator) October 22, 2025
A Marvel deal would add to an already packed slate. Earlier this year, Paramount Pictures signed Trachtenberg to a 3-year first-look directing and producing deal, under which he will develop, direct and produce feature projects with his producing partner Ben Rosenblatt. In June 2026, it was also announced that he would co-direct a film adaptation of the indie comic ‘Freddy the 13th’ alongside the comic’s author, Yehudi Mercado.
Disney is keeping him busy too. He is developing and set to direct a Disney movie inspired by ‘Sleeping Beauty’, with a story by Trachtenberg and Rayna McClendon. He also hasn’t given up on ‘Predator’, having said that while he makes projects at Paramount, he’ll also be cooking up what happens with future installments of the franchise.
It’s worth keeping expectations in check. The story has not yet been corroborated and should be treated as a rumor. There is no title, character, or timeline attached, and talks are not a deal.
Marvel hasn’t commented on the report, and its slate is already crowded. Still, the idea of the filmmaker who revived ‘Predator’ taking on a Marvel hero is enough to get plenty of fans excited.
Which Marvel project would you most like to see Dan Trachtenberg write and direct?
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