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Prey Director Dan Trachtenberg Is Developing a Sleeping Beauty-Inspired Disney Film

Dan Trachtenberg Sleeping Beauty is in early development at Disney, with the Prey director helming an original take on the classic fairy tale.

By September 29, 2026

Dan Trachtenberg Sleeping Beauty is the pairing few saw coming. The Prey director is developing a new Disney film inspired by the classic fairy tale. For now, the project sits in early development.

What the Dan Trachtenberg Sleeping Beauty film could be

The creative team is taking shape. Trachtenberg will direct the untitled project. Meanwhile, Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf are writing the script.

The story has notable roots, too. It comes from an idea by Trachtenberg and Rayna McClendon. However, plot details remain undisclosed for now.

Why the pairing excites fans

Trachtenberg has become one of genre film’s most exciting directors. He reinvigorated the Predator franchise with Prey, a lean and inventive prequel. Consequently, fans trust him to bring fresh ideas to familiar material.

A fairy tale is new territory for him. His work has leaned toward action and suspense rather than storybook fantasy. Therefore, a Sleeping Beauty reimagining is an intriguing change of pace.

Disney has leaned heavily on reinterpreting its classics in recent years. A director known for clever, subversive takes could offer something different. Notably, that is exactly what made Prey stand out.

Early development also means plenty can change. Scripts get rewritten, and timelines shift, especially this far out. So fans should hold the details loosely for now.

It is also part of a busy stretch for the director. Trachtenberg has kept the Predator franchise moving with new projects, and now he is branching out. That range suggests real ambition. Consequently, a fairy-tale film could show a different side of his filmmaking. Fans of Prey will be especially curious to see the result, since a grounded, inventive take could become a real talking point.

Still, the combination of filmmaker and material is promising. Ultimately, fans will be watching to see where Trachtenberg takes it. For more, see more movie news.

Source: Deadline

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