Trachtenberg reboots Sleeping Beauty into a shocking, dark adventure

Trachtenberg, the director who revived the Predator franchise for Hulu, is set to helm an untitled Disney project inspired by the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. Sources told that Trachtenberg will bring his distinct sensibility to an original idea inspired by the Disney story.

The film, still in early development, is expected to take the tale in a direction wholly separate from the Angelina Jolie‑starring Maleficent series.

The untitled project will be co‑written by Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf, who also created the Comedy Central series Big Time In Hollywood, FL. Production partners include Trachtenberg’s longtime collaborator Ben Rosenblatt and Star Wars producer Michelle Rejwan.

Executive oversight comes from Disney Live Action EVP Jessica Virtue and Creative Executive Alina Mota, who report to Daria Cercek.

Trachtenberg’s partnership with Disney follows his successful relaunch of the Predator franchise, beginning with 2022’s Prey, which earned critical praise and an Emmy nomination for Outstanding TV Movie.

The following year he directed Predator: Badlands, and he helmed the animated Predator: Killer of Killers, which now holds a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Those three films are the highest‑rated entries in the franchise .

In addition to the Sleeping Beauty effort, Trachtenberg is already in pre‑production on a top‑secret picture at Paramount. The director is also represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Johnson Shapiro Slewett and Kole, while Anfanger and Schimpf are represented by Mosaic, CAA and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.

## Background & Context

Trachtenberg’s first major partnership with Disney came through the revival of the Predator franchise for Hulu. The collaboration showcases Disney’s willingness to pair its legacy IPs with contemporary storytellers.

, Trachtenberg worked with Rayna McClendon to craft a fresh storyline for Sleeping Beauty, while Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf handled the screenplay. Trachtenberg and McClendon reportedly brainstormed a narrative that subverts traditional fairy‑tale tropes.

The film will be produced by Trachtenberg, his longtime partner Ben Rosenblatt, and Star Wars producer Michelle Rejwan. Their production partnership aims to integrate Disney Live Action’s resources with Trachtenberg’s action‑driven aesthetic.

## Development Details

The untitled project is in early development and sources say it will take the story in an entirely new direction with Trachtenberg’s distinct sensibility. The decision to reimagine Sleeping Beauty reflects Disney’s strategy to explore fresh angles on beloved stories.

The concept reportedly has no link to the Angelina Jolie‑starring Maleficent films. The producers expect the new film to blend classic motifs with contemporary themes.

Anfanger and Schimpf’s experience in comedy may bring a unique tone to the screenplay. Their comedic background could influence the film’s pacing and dialogue.

## Production Team and Future Plans

Trachtenberg is already in pre‑production on a top‑secret picture at Paramount, . The Paramount project remains confidential, with details expected to surface later this year.

He is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Johnson Shapiro Slewett and Kole, while Anfanger and Schimpf are represented by Mosaic, CAA and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis. Both Trachtenberg and the writers maintain a high profile with multiple active projects.

The project is in early development, with no release date announced at this time. Fans will need to wait for an official announcement before knowing when the film will hit theaters.

While details are still under wraps, Disney’s partnership with Trachtenberg signals another high‑profile attempt to reimagine classic material for modern audiences. The collaboration underscores Disney’s confidence in Trachtenberg’s track record of turning franchise properties into fresh, commercially viable projects.

Only time will reveal how the studio will repackage the fairy tale for a new generation.