Deadline reports that ‘Prey’ director Dan Trachtenberg is set to direct an original Disney film inspired by Sleeping Beauty, and sources say it has nothing to do with the Maleficent movies.
When I saw “Predator director” and “Sleeping Beauty” in the same headline, I had to read it twice. (Then a third time, which is not something I’m proud of.)
Here’s what’s known so far. According to Deadline’s exclusive, the untitled project is in early development and is said to take the classic story in an entirely new direction, shaped by Trachtenberg’s distinct sensibility. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but insiders say this take is not connected to the Maleficent films starring Angelina Jolie. Because this is a report based on sources, it’s worth treating the details as early.
The creative team is already coming together. Trachtenberg and Rayna McClendon came up with the story, while Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf, the co-creators of the Comedy Central series Big Time in Hollywood, FL, are writing the script. Trachtenberg will produce with his longtime producing partner Ben Rosenblatt and Star Wars producer Michelle Rejwan. On the Disney side, EVP of Production Jessica Virtue is overseeing the project with Creative Executive Alina Mota, reporting to Disney Live Action president Daria Cercek. Deadline’s report doesn’t specify a format, though the project is being overseen by Disney’s live-action team.
The choice of director makes more sense once you look at Trachtenberg’s track record with the studio. He helped relaunch the Predator franchise with 2022’s Prey, which was a hit on Hulu, earned critical praise, and landed an Emmy nomination for Outstanding TV Movie. He followed it with last year’s Predator: Badlands and the animated Predator: Killer of Killers, which has a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. His three Predator films are the highest-rated in the franchise on the site. Deadline says he’s also in pre-production on a top-secret film at Paramount, so he has plenty on his plate.
For anyone who needs a refresher, the original Sleeping Beauty was released in 1959 as Disney’s 16th animated feature. It follows Princess Aurora, who is cursed by the evil fairy Maleficent to die after pricking her finger on a spinning wheel’s spindle before her 16th birthday, until three good fairies soften the curse into a deep sleep that only true love’s kiss can break. Disney has already revisited the story once in live action, with 2014’s Maleficent grossing $759.8 million worldwide and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil following in 2019. This project is described as a very different kind of return.
The name carries extra weight for theme park fans, too. Sleeping Beauty Castle opened at Disneyland in 1955, four years before the film was even released, and it’s been one of the most recognizable landmarks in Disney parks ever since.
There’s a lot we don’t know yet: the title, the cast, the format, and a release date. Since the project is in early development, it could be a while before we see more. For now, it’s an intriguing pairing that has plenty of Disney fans talking.
We’ll keep tracking this project as more details come out, so check back with Theme Park Scope for updates, and follow us on social so you don’t miss it.
Are YOU excited to see a fresh take on Sleeping Beauty from the Prey director, or would you rather Disney leave the classic alone?
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