Terminator Will Be Back, Without Arnold

[Jasman0717 9]

Los Angeles (E! Online) - The Terminator is making good on its coming-back word. The Governator, not so much.

The Halcyon Company has announced plans to revive the cyborg-battling movie series with at least three more films, after the production company purchased all rights to the dormant franchise for an undisclosed, though likely eight-figure, sum.

But while Halcyon founders Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson are looking to begin preproduction on Terminator 4 as soon as possible, they will do so without a leading man. Or man-machine.

Plot details for the fourth film have been kept under tight wraps, though are said to pick up with John Connor, heir to the rebellion, in his thirties, leading the remainder of the human race in its ever-worsening battle against the machines. As the film will mark the beginning of a new trilogy, rather than a continuation of the previous three installments, its unlikely that the Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, will even take part in the film reinvention, other than perhaps a cameo.

Of course, there are other reasons why the Ah-nuld won't be featured on the big screen. He has a bit of a schedule conflict due to matters of a more gubernatorial nature.

T4 has already been fast-tracked for production, with Halcyon looking to get the installment in theaters by summer 2009. As it is, Schwarzenegger will be leading the state of California through 2011.

While a spokeswoman for the governor asserts that "no law says he couldn't" star in the reimagined flick if he wanted to, the project was nonetheless "not even on his radar."

Still, the franchise's new minders aren't worried about extending the brand beyond Arnie.

"With T3, we included many incidental details and plot points that, along with the ain narrative, set the stage for an entirely new set of inter-related stories covering the future adventures of John Connor and the Terminators," producer Moritz Borman said. "This new Terminator trilogy will build upon the already huge worldwide Terminator fan base, which was both revitalized and expanded with the global success of T3."

In fact, T3, along with T2 and, well, plain old T, have grossed just over $1 billion worldwide since Terminator was first released in 1984.

"The Terminator franchise represents by far the most popular and successful franchise not owned by a major studio," Kubicek said. "We see this global franchise as a cornerstone of Halcyon's future business plans."

A very large cornerstone.

In addition to the big-screen cyborg saga, the company snapped up all future merchandising and licensing rights to the franchise, future revenue generated by T3: Rise of the Machines and a portion of the rights to an almost guaranteed TV series based on the films.

Warned Bros. has already filmed a pilot for The Sarah Connor Chronicles, an hourlong show based around the Terminator character and mythology surrounding the movies. According to Variety, Fox has already expressed interest in the project, and could opt to pick up the series at next week's upfronts, when the fall prime-time schedules are unveiled.

[dearvj 0]

Los Angeles (E! Online) - The Terminator is making good on its coming-back word. The Governator, not so much.

The Halcyon Company has announced plans to revive the cyborg-battling movie series with at least three more films, after the production company purchased all rights to the dormant franchise for an undisclosed, though likely eight-figure, sum.

But while Halcyon founders Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson are looking to begin preproduction on Terminator 4 as soon as possible, they will do so without a leading man. Or man-machine.

Plot details for the fourth film have been kept under tight wraps, though are said to pick up with John Connor, heir to the rebellion, in his thirties, leading the remainder of the human race in its ever-worsening battle against the machines. As the film will mark the beginning of a new trilogy, rather than a continuation of the previous three installments, its unlikely that the Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, will even take part in the film reinvention, other than perhaps a cameo.

Of course, there are other reasons why the Ah-nuld won't be featured on the big screen. He has a bit of a schedule conflict due to matters of a more gubernatorial nature.

T4 has already been fast-tracked for production, with Halcyon looking to get the installment in theaters by summer 2009. As it is, Schwarzenegger will be leading the state of California through 2011.

While a spokeswoman for the governor asserts that "no law says he couldn't" star in the reimagined flick if he wanted to, the project was nonetheless "not even on his radar."

Still, the franchise's new minders aren't worried about extending the brand beyond Arnie.

"With T3, we included many incidental details and plot points that, along with the ain narrative, set the stage for an entirely new set of inter-related stories covering the future adventures of John Connor and the Terminators," producer Moritz Borman said. "This new Terminator trilogy will build upon the already huge worldwide Terminator fan base, which was both revitalized and expanded with the global success of T3."

In fact, T3, along with T2 and, well, plain old T, have grossed just over $1 billion worldwide since Terminator was first released in 1984.

"The Terminator franchise represents by far the most popular and successful franchise not owned by a major studio," Kubicek said. "We see this global franchise as a cornerstone of Halcyon's future business plans."

A very large cornerstone.

In addition to the big-screen cyborg saga, the company snapped up all future merchandising and licensing rights to the franchise, future revenue generated by T3: Rise of the Machines and a portion of the rights to an almost guaranteed TV series based on the films.

Warned Bros. has already filmed a pilot for The Sarah Connor Chronicles, an hourlong show based around the Terminator character and mythology surrounding the movies. According to Variety, Fox has already expressed interest in the project, and could opt to pick up the series at next week's upfronts, when the fall prime-time schedules are unveiled.

that's a long story ....lol

[Robor007 0]

How can the have T4 without *the* Terminator?

[Dwarf_Ogress 0]

How can the have T4 without *the* Terminator?

I'm with ya on this one!

[almaty 19]

hmmm. be interesting to see how this develops

Edited May 10, 2007 by almaty

[Jasman0717 9]

that's a long story ....lol

I couldn't help myself, I like most of the Schwarzennegger movies especially the Terminator movies and Preditor. To me, even the Conan movies were entertaining. I also enjoyed Twins with Danny DeVito

[Robor007 0]

that's a long story ....lol

I couldn't help myself, I like most of the Schwarzennegger movies especially the Terminator movies and Preditor. To me, even the Conan movies were entertaining. I also enjoyed Twins with Danny DeVito

The entire Terminator series is great and Predator is one of my favorite action flicks. Most people don't like Twins but I thought it was okay. Then again, I liked Last Action Hero.

[Ban Hammer 14,251]

i'll be in one of the terminator movies, btw.

me and an extra large

[almaty 19]

i'll be in one of the terminator movies, btw.

me and an extra large

i be the one in the theater, hoping kristen loken is in it again

[eric&gen 0]

I wont be watching the Terminator series anymore if Schwarzennegger is not in it not going to be playing the same role wont be the same without him.

[Oath 0]

I wont be watching the Terminator series anymore if Schwarzennegger is not in it not going to be playing the same role wont be the same without him.

They should have learned from rocky, three is more than enough.

[Mags 112]

Arnie couldn't be the Terminator again even if he tried. The latest pic I saw of him was him looking very old and VERY out of shape. You can't have an invincible cyborg that looks fat and 60, it just isn't Hollywood.

If Robert Patrick was still looking young (he isn't unfortunately) I'd say he would be excellent. I thought he was great as the "baddie" Terminator in the second flick. He could run FAST.

Edited May 10, 2007 by mags

[~Chad~ 0]

My favorite is the second one. Recently I bought the uncut version from wal-mart. They had some real good deleted scenes that was included in the uncut version. Like when the kid taught him how to smile. Thats how he knew to smile when he picked up the cannon gun. If you like the T movies, it's definitely worth getting

[SoL. 0]

Arnold IS the Terminator, I cannot imagine a T-4 movie without him. But we'll see....

Edited May 11, 2007 by Sol-de-Verano

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't see why they couldn't give the Terminator the Batman Begins or Casino Royale treatment. I mean... Schwarzenegger wasn't "that" great... The role was pretty much made for a big guy with no acting ability... The success of those movies had more to do with Jim Cameron anyway.... The 3rd one was toilet.