Dan Trachtenberg is set to direct an untitled Disney film built around an original idea inspired by Sleeping Beauty.
The project remains in early development, with story specifics being kept under wraps. Insiders describe the film as an entirely new direction for the classic Disney tale, shaped by Trachtenberg’s distinct sensibility.
Despite drawing inspiration from Sleeping Beauty, the new project has no connection to the Maleficent films starring Angelina Jolie. That distinction positions the movie as a separate interpretation rather than an extension of Disney’s existing Maleficent series.
The Creative Team
Trachtenberg developed the new story with Rayna McClendon. Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf are writing the screenplay, bringing another established creative partnership to the project. Anfanger and Schimpf previously co-created the Comedy Central series Big Time in Hollywood, FL.
Trachtenberg will also produce alongside his longtime producing partner Ben Rosenblatt. Michelle Rejwan, a producer on Star Wars, is producing as well.
On the Disney side, EVP Production Jessica Virtue is overseeing the film with Creative Executive Alina Mota. Both report to Disney Live Action president Daria Cercek.
Trachtenberg’s Disney Track Record
The Sleeping Beauty-inspired movie continues Trachtenberg’s relationship with Disney following his work on three Predator projects at 20th Century.
He directed 2022’s Prey, which helped relaunch the Predator franchise. The movie was a success on Hulu, received critical praise and earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding TV Movie.
Trachtenberg followed Prey with Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu film Predator: Killer of Killers. The latter holds a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Trachtenberg’s three Predator movies are the franchise’s highest-rated installments on Rotten Tomatoes.
Beyond his developing Disney project, Trachtenberg is currently in pre-production on a top-secret film at Paramount.
What Happens Next?
The untitled movie is still at an early stage, and its plot remains closely guarded. What is established is that Trachtenberg and McClendon’s story will move away from the approach taken by the Maleficent films, with Anfanger and Schimpf handling the script and Trachtenberg, Rosenblatt and Rejwan producing.
Trachtenberg is represented by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Johnson Shapiro Slewett and Kole. Anfanger and Schimpf are represented by Mosaic, CAA and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.