Paramount Pictures was hoping to start a new TERMINATOR trilogy with 2015's TERMINATOR GENISYS, and they even had release dates picked out for the two sequels they would need to squeeze in before 2019, when franchise creator James Cameron will be regaining some of the rights to the series. GENISYS's disappointing reception put the kibosh on those plans, clearing the way for Cameron to start plotting what he wants to do with the property.
We heard back in January that Cameron intends to produce but not direct a new TERMINATOR film, possibly handing the helm over to DEADPOOL director Tim Miller. Cameron will be teaming up with David Ellison's Skydance Media for the project, and Ellison has already recruited some "top-flight science fiction authors" to help "find the movie creatively".
It's probably going to be a while before we hear anything substantial about this Cameron-produced TERMINATOR, since it can't even get rolling for another two years, but there is one very important franchise player who has been told some of the secrets. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Talking to ScreenDaily, Schwarzenegger confirmed that Cameron has something in the works to keep the series going, and that he has been invited to join in.
It is back. It is moving forward. He [Cameron] has some good ideas of how to continue with the franchise. I will be in the movie."
It's no surprise at all to hear that Schwarzenegger will be involved in some capacity, most of us probably immediately assumed he would be, but it's good to get solid confirmation on these things.
We'll keep you informed as more is revealed about the future of TERMINATOR.