Arnold Schwarzenegger says new Terminator will ignore the events of Genisys

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Although TERMINATOR: GENISYS was intended to be a soft reboot of THE TERMINATOR franchise and kick off a new trilogy of films, the critical thrashing it received, coupled with a disappointing domestic box-office, caused Paramount Pictures to pump the brakes on any further installments. For a second there, it seemed as though THE TERMINATOR franchise was truly dead, but earlier this year it was announced that James Cameron himself would be returning to get the franchise back on track with a new film to be directed by Tim Miller (DEADPOOL). Quite a lot has happened in the series since Cameron was last involved, which has fans wondering which elements of the last three movies will be included or ignored.

According to The Terminator Fans, who spoke with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the recent "An Experience With Arnold Schwarzenegger" event, we can almost certainly erase the events of TERMINATOR: GENISYS from our minds. Schwarzenegger said that the new film will be "totally ignoring Genisys," adding that "[James] Cameron was not involved in the others, so he does not acknowledge the others," meaning that we can likely count the events of TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES and TERMINATOR: SALVATION out as well. Not exactly surprising news, but sure to be welcome for those fans who have long been wanting a proper sequel to TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY.

In addition to Arnold Schwarzenegger, it was also recently revealed that Linda Hamilton would be back to reprise her role of Sarah Connor. According to Schwarzenegger, Hamilton is taking things "very seriously" and is currently in training for the film. Although Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton's characters will anchor the story, the new film will also be seen as the passing of the baton to a new generation of characters, similar to what Disney was able to do with STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. James Cameron said, "We’re starting a search for an 18-something woman to be the new centerpiece of the new story. We still fold time. We will have characters from the future and the present. There will be mostly new characters." It's been a long time since I've really been excited about THE TERMINATOR franchise, so I've got my fingers crossed that James Cameron has something special in store for us.

Are you disappointed that the new film may wipe away the events of the previous three movies? Which elements of those films shouldn't be tossed away?