Dan Trachtenberg, known for his recent work revitalizing established franchises with a fresh perspective, is reportedly taking on a new project for Disney: an original film inspired by the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty. Trachtenberg previously directed the successful Predator prequel Prey, followed by Predator: Badlands, and has demonstrated a talent for reimagining iconic properties.
According to a report, Trachtenberg is developing the untitled film, with Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf penning the screenplay. While plot details remain under wraps, the project is said to be an original take on the well-known story and will not be connected to Disney's previous Maleficent films starring Angelina Jolie.
Trachtenberg's directorial style, which brought a unique and often darker tone to the Predator universe, has sparked speculation about how he might approach the Sleeping Beauty narrative. Disney has a history of reinterpreting its animated classics, ranging from direct live-action remakes to stories that explore familiar characters from new angles, such as Maleficent's focus on the villain or Mufasa: The Lion King's exploration of a character's backstory. Given the success of projects like Andor, which demonstrated Disney's capacity for more mature storytelling within its major franchises, there is potential for Trachtenberg to explore unexpected facets of the Sleeping Beauty lore. However, the early stage of development means the precise direction of the film is currently unknown.