Director of Prey and Predator: Badlands is set to helm a new Disney reboot.

Dan Trachtenberg has been making waves in the film industry by reimagining some of the most iconic franchises. After his gripping debut with the 2016 thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane, he ventured into the Predator universe with 2022’s Prey, followed by Predator: Badlands and the animated Predator: Killer of Killers. Now, he’s setting his sights on another beloved piece of pop culture, this time from Disney.

Reports indicate that Trachtenberg is working on an original film inspired by the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty.

Currently, the project is in its early development stages, with Trachtenberg collaborating with Rayna McClendon on the story, while Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf handle the screenplay. While specific plot details remain under wraps, it’s noted that this film will take the timeless story in a completely new direction.

Importantly, this isn’t just another retelling like Maleficent. The new film reportedly has no ties to Disney’s two Maleficent films featuring Angelina Jolie.

At this point, it’s hard to predict what Trachtenberg’s take on Sleeping Beauty will entail. Disney has a history of reinterpreting its animated classics, whether through traditional live-action adaptations or by completely rethinking familiar narratives and characters.

Maleficent famously shifted the focus to the villain of Sleeping Beauty, while Mufasa: The Lion King delved into the backstory of another well-known Disney character. This opens up a lot of possibilities for Trachtenberg to explore unexpected angles, especially with Maleficent now over a decade old.

Fans of Trachtenberg’s work might be curious about how far he’ll push the boundaries. While Disney isn’t known for producing Predator-level gore, there’s still room for experimentation within its established franchises. The success of projects like Andor has demonstrated that Disney can embrace more mature storytelling within its major properties.

This willingness to innovate is also what set Trachtenberg’s Predator films apart. Instead of simply following the formula established by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s original 1987 film, Prey, Badlands, and Killer of Killers expanded the possibilities of what a Predator story could be.

Whether he’ll take a similarly bold approach with Sleeping Beauty remains to be seen. For now, the project is still in its infancy, with even its basic premise kept under wraps.