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The Terminator franchise captured the adoration of global Sci-Fi enthusiasts by perfectly aligning its cast, concept, and timing over three decades ago in 1984 when it was at its zenith. Despite the legendary story of Gale Anne Hurd, who had previously served as Roger Corman’s assistant at New World Pictures, expressing her fascination with the Terminator series and James Cameron selling the rights for a mere dollar, fans are left pondering what lies ahead for this iconic saga.
Fans are eagerly awaiting news on when, or if, more Terminator films will materialize, given the condition that Gale Anne Hurd would produce them only if James Cameron directs. In the interim, enthusiasts of science fiction action are itching for the latest action-packed sequences featuring their beloved futuristic robot. Is there a roadmap ahead, or has the entire series met its demise?
Terminator: Is the Franchise Dead?
What Came Before?
The first two Terminator films effectively told the complete story, rendering subsequent installments unnecessary. These later films, with hefty budgets, lacked exceptional ideas and execution, resulting in dull narratives filled with plot holes. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) even attempted to inject humor, leading to failure. A spin-off TV series, Sarah Connor’s Chronicles, met a similar fate after two seasons due to poor ratings.
Here’s an intriguing piece of trivia from the original film’s history: Can you believe they almost considered casting O.J. Simpson as the Terminator? Arnold Schwarzenegger, known for the iconic role, shared that Simpson was a candidate. However, due to his controversial image, producers decided against portraying him as the lethal futuristic cyborg.
Will there be Salvation?
Arnold Schwarzenegger recently discussed his career and The Terminator series, stating that while the franchise isn’t finished, he personally is. He acknowledged that the world is ready for a different Terminator theme. Additionally, behind-the-scenes legal issues emerged, as it was revealed that The Terminator was accused of plagiarizing Harlan Ellison’s 1957 short story, “Soldier from Tomorrow,” which led to a lawsuit against the producers and distributor of the film.
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No Fate But What We Make!
Terminator: Dark Fate (2020), a direct sequel to Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), suffered a staggering loss of over $120 million at the box office, effectively shelving any immediate plans for further sequels. The primary issue with Dark Fate lay in its inability to introduce compelling new characters capable of filling the shoes of Hamilton and Schwarzenegger. Despite the franchise’s struggles, it may not be entirely dead, but there is undoubtedly a sense of exhaustion. To revitalize it, a potential solution could involve shifting the series to the future, focusing on a tight-knit group within the resistance, with Skynet and Terminators serving as a backdrop to the human struggle, akin to a blend of The Walking Dead and Sarah Connor Chronicles.
Terminator 7 appears to hold promise, especially with James Cameron, the franchise creator, taking the reins himself. Cameron’s recent revelation in a 2022 podcast hints at a shift towards a greater focus on AI rather than just robots or machines. Although there may not be a strong demand for another installment, Cameron’s involvement sparks optimism for rejuvenating the Terminator series and injecting it with new vitality, as demonstrated by the success of M3GAN.
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