News Bites! Dutch Returns, a Deadly Shed, Fall 2 – Fall Harder
It looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger may be heading back to the world of Predator. According to reports from fansite TheArnoldFans, 20th Century Studios is keen to bring the action icon back, with director Dan Trachtenberg,who revitalised the franchise with superb Prey, personally expressing interest in casting him in a new centered around the Yautja, the alien species at the centre of the Predator films. Speaking at his own Arnold Sports Festival, Schwarzenegger revealed that discussions have already taken place, and that the studio is also exploring a potential Commando 2 project. It’s a clear sign that the studio is looking to reconnect with one of its most iconic stars.
Speculation about Schwarzenegger’s return has been building for a while, especially after his character Dutch made a brief cameo in Predator: Killer of Killers, hinting at a larger role in future installments. Talks between Schwarzenegger and Trachtenberg reportedly date back to late 2025, and now the momentum appears to be growing. While the actor is approaching 80, that hasn’t dampened enthusiasm, if anything, it opens the door for a different kind of role within the franchise he helped define with the original Predator. Whether in live-action or animation, all signs point to a long-awaited return that fans have been eager to see.
True horror doesn’t always require a supernatural beast or a masked slasher, often, the most visceral chills come from the simple, suffocating realisation that there is nowhere to run. The 2022 survival thriller Fall, which I gave solid thumbs up for, mastered this primal fear, transforming a singular, ill-fated climb into a feature-length nightmare fueled by nothing but height and pure panic. Its “simple yet scary” approach resonated deeply with audiences, turning a low-budget concept into a word-of-mouth sensation that stayed in the public consciousness long after the credits rolled.
After years of “will-they-won’t-they” development, the height-induced tension is finally returning. Fall 2 has officially claimed a prime summer release date of August 7, 2026. This time around, directors Peter and Michael Spierig take the helm, working from a script by original creators Scott Mann and Jonathan Frank. The sequel shifts the stakes to Thailand, where two friends (played by Harriet Slater and Arsema Thomas) attempt a perilous bridge crossing to process their past trauma. However, a sudden rockslide soon transforms their journey of healing into a fresh, high-altitude fight for survival, proving that lightning, or in this case, vertigo, really can strike twice… well, there might be lightning too, who knows.
Black Mandala has unveiled Shed, a gripping new survival horror film from director Steven J. Mihaljevich that leans into tension, intimacy, and raw fear. Told largely from the perspective of a trapped young girl, the film creates a uniquely claustrophobic experience, drawing viewers deep into its world with a steady, nerve-fraying sense of dread. Mihaljevich’s restrained approach allows the terror to build slowly but relentlessly, making Shed as emotionally affecting as it is unsettling. At the center is an impressive performance from Mani Shanks, supported by Australian genre icon John Jarratt (Wolf Creek), whose presence adds an extra layer of menace.
The story unfolds on Christmas Eve, when 10-year-old Mia is accidentally locked inside a farm shed just as a violent intruder arrives. Alone and unable to fully grasp the horror surrounding her, she must endure hunger, fear, and the creeping realization that something has gone terribly wrong. With the killer just metres away, Mia relies on instinct and determination to survive. The result is a tense, emotionally charged thriller that proves the most terrifying place can be one you cannot escape. Shed has already made an impact on the festival circuit, winning Best Horror Feature, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress at the UK Film Awards, and premiering at Screamfest LA.
