Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch Could Finally Face the Yautja Again in a New ‘Predator’ Movie

When Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped into the jungle as Major Alan Dutch Schaefer in John McTiernan’s original ‘Predator‘, he created a character who has stayed popular for decades. That 1987 film still marks the character’s only live-action appearance in the franchise, which means fans have waited a long time to see him face the hunter again. The wait has only made the demand louder, with online communities and petitions pushing for Dutch’s comeback.

The franchise has been enjoying a major revival in recent years. Director Dan Trachtenberg has helped revitalize the series with ‘Prey’, ‘Predator: Killer of Killers’ and ‘Predator: Badlands’, and each film has expanded the universe in a new direction. ‘Killer of Killers’ arrived in June 2025 as the franchise’s first animated installment, while ‘Predator: Badlands’ stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi and opened in theaters on Nov. 7 last year.

Now the door to a reunion with the original star looks like it may be opening. Schwarzenegger appeared on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and confirmed he is in discussions to return as Dutch in a new ‘Predator’ movie, while 20th Century Studios is also interested in moving forward with ‘Commando 2’ and ‘King Conan’. He also made it clear that nothing is going in front of cameras until the writing is right.

The actor explained that his focus is on the scripts. Speaking on the show, Schwarzenegger told Kimmel, “What’s not on the page is not on the stage,” adding that he is waiting for the scripts to be perfected before shooting begins. He gave Kimmel no shooting date for either ‘Predator’ or ‘Commando 2’.

The scripts are still being written, but the actor is clearly eager to return as Dutch, nearly 4 decades after the first film. It is not the first time he has addressed the topic, since he told fans at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, that Trachtenberg wants him for another ‘Predator’.

The idea of Dutch’s return did not come out of nowhere. At San Diego Comic-Con in 2025, Trachtenberg revealed an extended ending for ‘Predator: Killer of Killers’ in which Dutch, Mike Harrigan from ‘Predator 2’ and Naru from ‘Prey’ have been captured and frozen by the Yautja. The final scene pans across a cryogenic trophy chamber, and the extended ending was added back into the film on Hulu.

Trachtenberg got Schwarzenegger’s blessing over breakfast to use his likeness in the movie, and he also reportedly received clearance to use Dutch in future entries in the franchise. That turned ‘Killer of Killers’ into a secret setup for more.

Dutch’s journey back to the franchise has not been a straight line. Schwarzenegger turned down a part in Shane Black’s ‘The Predator’, but he later voiced Dutch in the video game ‘Predator: Hunting Grounds’ in 2020. In that game, Dutch is shown continuing his Yautja-hunting mission well into old age, even undergoing Predator-DNA treatment to stay in the fight. An older Dutch then turned up in the animated ‘Killer of Killers’.

Last year, ‘Predator: Badlands’ producer Rosenblatt confirmed that Trachtenberg had met with Schwarzenegger about potentially returning as Dutch, saying more conversations would follow after the film came out. That timeline now appears to be lining up with the actor’s latest comments.

For all the excitement, plenty remains unconfirmed. Plot and casting details for the new film have not been officially announced, and no release date has been set. Fans will have to wait to see how a 79-year-old Dutch fits into the story, and how he would be freed from the Yautja’s cryogenic chamber, since the plot is still under wraps.

Schwarzenegger also has plenty on his plate. His next movie, ‘The Man with the Bag’, marks his return to Christmas comedy 30 years after ‘Jingle All the Way’, and it arrives on Prime Video on Dec. 2. Adam Shankman directs the film, and his co-star Alan Ritchson is also a producer.

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