A precedent set by the latest film in the Predator franchise, Predator: Killer of Killers, could allow Arnold Schwarzenegger to reprise his role as Dutch nearly four decades after his original appearance. Schwarzenegger never returned to the role after the beloved first film in 1987 depicting his character facing off with the notorious Predator, but the actor could now reimagine Dutch in a new medium.

Predator: Killer of Killers will foray the series into a new direction: animation. The animated film, which is set to hit Hulu in June of this year, tells the story of three fierce warriors and their respective encounters with the Predator. One is a Viking protecting her son; another is a ninja in feudal Japan; and the final is a pilot during World War II. Moreover, the franchise’s ability to traverse new periods could mean Schwarzenegger’s Dutch’s return at long last in a future installment.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Could Play Dutch In Any Era In An Animated Predator Movie

An Animated Rendition Of Dutch Means Schwarzenegger Could Easily Reprise His Role In Any Time

Almost 40 years ago, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the first movie star to iconically battle the Predator in the franchise’s original film. Schwarzenegger’s character, Dutch, is one of the few survivors of the Predator’s bloody massacre, leaving the door open for him to return for future movies. However, that was not the case because Schwarzenegger was one-and-done in the Predator saga, not coming back for the sequel due to a salary dispute. Now, with Schwarzenegger pushing 80 and out of the acting spotlight, it would appear his action movie days are behind him.

This could all change with the inception of the newest Predator flick. For the first time in the franchise’s storied history, this Predator tale will not be in live-action, but instead, an animated picture developed for Hulu. The proposition of animated Predator movies means that Schwarzenegger could return to voice Dutch, regardless of the actor’s age, and they could place him in the universe at any time. Additionally, Schwarzenegger has recently shown a willingness to do voice acting work, with a standout performance in an episode of Secret Level last year.

Predator Embracing Anthologies And Animation Means Anything Is Possible Now

An Animated Predator Means There Is No Limit To What Stories They Can Tell In This Universe

The Predator franchise has been going steady since the first film’s release in 1987; while some entries have been more successful than others, a new outing for the iconic movie monster happens every few years or so. The most recent endeavor took the beast in the new direction of a period piece. Prey, which came out in 2022, pictures the Predator landing in the 1700s Great Plains, where it fights Naru, a young Comanche warrior. The next live-action installment, Predator: Badlands, will see a futuristic story set on an alien planet.

Prey director Dan Trachtenberg is returning to direct Badlands and is also at the helm for the animated Predator: Killer of Killers. All three of his Predator flicks are set in entirely different periods, with seemingly minor connective tissue between them besides the titular creature. This new approach showcases a shift to anthology storytelling from the franchise, meaning the restraints of a grander narrative are not at play anymore. The Predator series has a massive sandbox to work in from now on, and any and all storylines are presently on the table.

Predator

Created by

Jim Thomas, John Thomas

First Film

Predator

Cast

Carl Weathers, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Peter Hall, Peter Cullen, Derek Mears, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Françoise Yip, Boyd Holbrook, Olivia Munn, Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers

Expand