Well, the near extermination of the human race was a good cliffhanger. I hope we get to see the beginning of the resistance.

Unless they're going to take it back to the dark fatalistic tones of the original movie then I don't know why are they bothering?

If not even Arnie's back this time then...

I had an idea for T4, I don't really see the point in making a script out of it if it's never going to be directed, although I thought it was pretty good. I have it written down in a notebook, maybe I'll go back and check it out later.

Maybe they just want your money, also it's the years of the sequel. I guess like Blade Trinity they need a franchise name to slap on a new project to suck in the fans which is smart idea, underhanded but smart.

I enjoyed T3 mostly because it was a fun popcorn flick, T2 was serious in a way and I don't honestly remember much about the original.

Are you sure Kurt Wimmer is the director? IMDB says Jonathan Mostow.

I liked T3.. a good, numb out-and-watch-things-get-blown up flick.

Quoted from Old Time Wesley Maybe they just want your money

I think this is the reason... I daresay 'art' won't be an issue in this choice of project.

T3 was fun in a dumb way, but it's distressing to see how much of a self-parody the character has become.

"Talk to the hand!" - please...  

I still need to see T3!  The first two movies were so good!  Are they actually making a fourth?

i want to kill Mostow for making T3!

Yeah I don't understand how the producers of such a world-renowned franchise could go ahead and make a stupid parody of it. I think it just degraded the whole Terminator series and made a joke of it. Man, I'd LOVE James Cameron to take on a fourth film and make it go out with a bang!  

Yeah, Cameron coming back would be welcome...

Hell, just about any new film from Cameron would be welcome.

Some interesting news from IMDB.

"Hollywood action man Arnold Schwarzenegger may be set to juggle his role as California Governor with a return to the big screen - he has reportedly agreed to star in two big money sequels. The actor-turned-politician has agreed to re-team with Oscar-winning director James Cameron in a fourth Terminator installment in addition to a sequel to True Lies, according to website Moviehole.net."

Also.

John Rosengrant, who is a special effects expert at Stan Winston Studios, confirms work on Terminator 4 is at a very early stage: "It's too early to figure out what a new Terminator would look like, or anything like that. You see the script and what spark comes from that, (talk) with the director and see what the vision is. It does no good to dream it up unless you write a treatment and try to get out there and sell it yourself."

Zavier

Big Update. The franchise has been sold. An emerging film company has acquired the franchise rights to the popular movie series and is intending to make a new trilogy.

The firm has plans to begin immediate preproduction on "Terminator 4," with hopes that it will be ready for release in the first half of 2009.

Head over to CNN for more.

A Terminator flick without Arnold is like Indiana Jones without Harrison Ford; it just stinks

I'm probably in a very tiny minority, here, but I liked T3 and consider it the 'smartest' of the trilogy.

I don't see where Arnie (I call him that because I don't know how to spell Schwawztenwanneizzger) would fit into T4 (I call it that because I don't know how to spell Schwawztenwanneizzger).  The terminator robots were very basic and extremely robot looking.  The ones that looked human were still a few generations away.

If Arnie (I call him that because...nevermind) was to appear in T4, it would probably be a very minor role where he would play a human that the computers would model the future Terminators after.


Phil

"I'm probably in a very tiny minority, here, but I liked T3 and consider it the 'smartest' of the trilogy."- Phil

Actually, I agree with you Phil. I personally thought T3 was insanely underrated.

"If Arnie (I call him that because...nevermind) was to appear in T4, it would probably be a very minor role where he would play a human that the computers would model the future Terminators after."- Phil

That would work really well. But Arnie wouldn't necessarly (i spelled that wrong) have to have a minor role.

Quoted from dogglebe I'm probably in a very tiny minority, here, but I liked T3 and consider it the 'smartest' of the trilogy.

Whaddya mean smartest? T3 didn't have a brain at all.

I can't believe they're continuing with this trilogy. T2 ended the whole thing, well at least it should have. T3 then rebooted it, dug it into the deepest, smelliest shithole it possibly could've and now they're going to keep digging with another trilogy. Not just another movie, but another trilogy. On top of which we have the TV series coming out. When it gonna end?


Cheers, Chismeister.

Quoted from dogglebe I'm probably in a very tiny minority, here, but I liked T3 and consider it the 'smartest' of the trilogy. I don't see where Arnie (I call him that because I don't know how to spell Schwawztenwanneizzger) would fit into T4 (I call it that because I don't know how to spell Schwawztenwanneizzger).  The terminator robots were very basic and extremely robot looking.  The ones that looked human were still a few generations away. If Arnie (I call him that because...nevermind) was to appear in T4, it would probably be a very minor role where he would play a human that the computers would model the future Terminators after. Phil

I think they shot that footage but never used it for T3. Mostow talks about Arnie playing some general used as template. Go figure!  

Quoted from chism Whaddya mean smartest? T3 didn't have a brain at all.

It thought it was smart how they explained that John Connor couldn't escape his destiny, only delay it, and how the story was set up for him leading the human resistance.

Quoted from nitronaut I think they shot that footage but never used it for T3. Mostow talks about Arnie playing some general used as template. Go figure!

That makes sense.  And, this way, they wouldn't have to pay him.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe It thought it was smart how they explained that John Connor couldn't escape his destiny, only delay it, and how the story was set up for him leading the human resistance.

Oh, you mean that one beautifully written line "You can't stop judgment day, it is inevitable"? That one stunningly planned and thought-out line that takes T2, rolls it up into a ball, spits on it, lights it on fire and then takes a dump on it to put out the flames?

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't the entire point of T2 (which is a far superior movie) that destinty is not written, and that it can be changed? T3 just completely does away with that so it can get to the next action scene. That is the main reason why I dislike T3 so much. It disobeys the cardinal rule of sequels: it doesn't honor the source material. It shits all over it, presents it on a shiny silver platter and expects us to chow down.


Cheers, Chism.

Chism has a point.Why is judgment day inevitable? The point of the previous movies was that you can alter the future or at least create alternative time-lines.

Why is 'judgment day' presented as a preordained event set in stone?

If John Connor inevitably grows up as a leader of the resistance, and then destroys the machines before they ever send the Terminatrix back, judgment day will never happen and thus is not inevitable?

Quoted from chism Oh, you mean that one beautifully written line "You can't stop judgment day, it is inevitable"? That one stunningly planned and thought-out line that takes T2, rolls it up into a ball, spits on it, lights it on fire and then takes a dump on it to put out the flames?

That's the one!  I think there was a little more to it than that, though, though.

Quoted from chism Correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't the entire point of T2 (which is a far superior movie) that destinty is not written, and that it can be changed? T3 just completely does away with that so it can get to the next action scene. That is the main reason why I dislike T3 so much. It disobeys the cardinal rule of sequels: it doesn't honor the source material. It shits all over it, presents it on a shiny silver platter and expects us to chow down.

You forget about the theory of alternating timelines.  The future seen in T2 was changed after all physical evidence of the three Terminators were destroyed.  However,  enough of the software was still in existence to create Skynet and have it take over.

Quoted from Death Monkey Chism has a point.Why is judgment day inevitable? The point of the previous movies was that you can alter the future or at least create alternative time-lines.

Exactly.  The future was changed  after each Terminator movie.  That's why the second had the T-1000 go after Connor and the third had the T-X.  Why not send either of these two the first time, instead of the original clunky one?  Maybe they werejn't developed in the original future.

Quoted from Death Monkey Why is 'judgment day' presented as a preordained event set in stone?

Is it set in stone if it can be put off?

Quoted from Death Monkey If John Connor inevitably grows up as a leader of the resistance, and then destroys the machines before they ever send the Terminatrix back, judgment day will never happen and thus is not inevitable?

In an alternating timeline, who knows what can happen.

The great thing about time travel stories is that, since there is no fact to base it on, it's very open to interpretation and, thus, lively conversation.  The bad thing about time travel stories is that, since there is no fact to base it on, it's very open to interpretation and, thus, lively conversation.


Phil

Well in what timeline is it then exactly that judgment day is inevitable?

If something is going to happen no matter what, even if you can postpone it, you could argue that it's set in stone, couldn't you?

Your last point is a good one. Personally, I can't stand time-travel stories who disregard all logic simply because "it's TIME-TRAVEL!". The butterfly Effect was cheap b-movie posing as something better. The time-travel philosophy of that film was not only illogical but completely inconsistent.

But the question remains: Why is it judgment day is 'inevitable' as T-3 claims? the two first films taught us that the future can be changed, so that means that in theory the future can be changed so that the machines never take over, effectively countering the entire notion of inevitability.

Quoted from Death Monkey But the question remains: Why is it judgment day is 'inevitable' as T-3 claims? the two first films taught us that the future can be changed, so that means that in theory the future can be changed so that the machines never take over, effectively countering the entire notion of inevitability.

The future has been changed.  It's been put off, even for only a short time.  For all we know, the evitability of Judgement could just be based on who programmed the units.

Personally, I'd like to see another trilogy, based on the humans fighting the robots.  Depending on who writes and directs it, it could be as good as any of the three other movies.


Phil

Quoted from nitronaut I think they shot that footage but never used it for T3. Mostow talks about Arnie playing some general used as template. Go figure!

You can see this scene on the T3 Special Edition DVD.  It's a pointless joke that, while funny, was deservedly cut.

Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins is the new title for T4. It is the first of a confirmed trilogy of stories that depict how John Connor became leader of the rebellion and what not. It is set after the events of the first three films. And, if anyone needed more proof as to why this project absolutely cannot work, here is the director:

Quoted from ComingSoon.net While it's been hinted in previous Hollywood trade articles, Moviehole now says it's a done deal - McG will direct Warner Bros. Pictures' Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, the fourth installment in the popular franchise. Expected to hit theaters in the summer of 2009, "Terminator Salvation" will reinvent the cyborg saga with a storyline to be told over a three-movie span. The film is set in the future, in a full-scale war between Skynet and humankind. McG directed We Are Marshall for WB and also helmed the "Charlie's Angels" films.

So there ya have it, folks. There is also no official word on casting.

James Cameron will be rolling around in his grave. Well, he would be but he's not dead. His 23-year-old franchise, however, is.


Matt.

The main problem I have with a Terminator 4 movie is...we already know what is going to happen in it. Everything we were told in the first Terminator movie has come true. Nuclear war - check, the machines take over - check...nothing left but for John Connor to unite the human resistance and smah those metal motherfuckers. We even know who wins.

The same could be said about Star Wars, chapter 1 through 3, and look how great those turned out.

BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!  I kill myself.


Phil

Mc-fucking-G?

I don't wanna see a Terminator movie made by a guy whose name sounds like the secret rapping identity of a 14-year-old burger-flipper at McDonalds.

Terminator 3 was a tragically bad film, and its relative critical success shows just how bad things have become.

It manages to introduce some truly unbelievable plot holes and seems to willfully try to subvert what made the first two films so good.

We find a moment where John is able to reason with the re-programmed Terminator. Thus completely re-inventing the entire story and destroying in one fell-swoop what made the Terminators so scary and successful in the first place.

It was a film where the Director was aware that he was inferior, so he turned to parody to disguise his inability to create a believable and suspenseful story and used the staple Hollywood cliches of bigger explosions to disguise his lack of ability and intelligence.

I despise films like this. They are emotional rape and laws should be passed against them. They are nothing more than a tax on peoples loyalty.

Latest rumors have none other than the Dark Knight himself being cast as John Connor:

Quoted from AintItCoolNews Bruce Wayne is John Conner!!! Hey folk Harry here. Just got off the phone with an extremely trusted source who has never been wrong before. he revealed exclusively to AICN that in the upcoming McG reboot, TERMINATOR SALVATION: The Future Begins, that they have cast CHRISTIAN BALE as none other than JOHN CONNER. you folks know what that means... THIS IS GOING TO KICK ASS!!!

Matt.

Have the people over at AICN ever heard news they didn't consider to be "kickass"? It's still McG who directs. No star in the world is gonna change that.

I would've thought Edward Furlong would be old enough to play the adult John Connor now, but I guess Ed isn't a big enough star. What happened to his career anyway?

Quoted from Takeshi I would've thought Edward Furlong would be old enough to play the adult John Connor now, but I guess Ed isn't a big enough star. What happened to his career anyway?

He turned 30 this year, so I suppose he would be about the right age. But ever since his arrest in 2001 he's mostly been doing obscure little horror movies that no one ever hears of. I think his biggest deal was back on 2005 when he starred in another sequel to The Crow called Wiked Prayer.

But would you prefer him to Christian Bale anyway?

Matt.

I'm not a huge Christian Bale fan. The thing with Furlong is that I had him pegged to go all the way. I reckon he's cut from the same cloth as Ryan Gosling, so to speak, so I'm surprised that his career stalled.  

Having him play John Connor in the new Terminator film would obviously be good for continuity, however, you'd also have to cast a major star or at least a star on the rise, to compensate for his lack of box office pull, but then again the Terminator franchise sells itself.  I'd definitely get him in to read for the part.

Christian Bale is one of the most talented actors working today. He doesn't care how far he has to go to get a great performance, and that's evident in all of his movies.

Quoted from ABennettWriter Christian Bale is one of the most talented actors working today. He doesn't care how far he has to go to get a great performance, and that's evident in all of his movies.

I like Christian Bale, but his dedication to his roles doesn't necessarily say anything about his talent. The fact that will starve himself and eat maggots doesn't necessarily make him a great actor.

Although he'd have one hell of an edge on celebrity fear factor.

According to CHUD.com, Christian Bale was actually up for the role of the Terminator, rather than John Connor. Now, however, they are reporting that he has actually been cast as an entirely new character:

Quoted from CHUD Is it possible that Bale is not playing either John Connor OR the Terminator? I'm hearing buzz that he's playing a character who is new to the Terminator mythology. More as I get it.

Here's the link to the full article:

http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=12655


Matt.

Edward Furlong or Nick Stahl, one of those two. But I hate Christan Bale. He has that no emotion face that Mark Wahlberg usually has. I'd rather have him play a minor role, or possibly The Terminator.

Entertainment Weekly caught up with Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins producers Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek. Here's the link to their two page interview, in which they discuss casting Christian Bale, the controversy over hiring McG to direct and whether or not Schwarzenegger will be making an appearence:

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20164286,00.html


Matt.

Quoted from Entertainment Weekly ANDERSON: John Connor is an ongoing, very central character throughout the next trilogy.

Trilogy? Did I miss something?

Quoted from sniper Trilogy? Did I miss something?

You missed nothing. The Future Begins is indeed the first chapted in a planned trilogy of movies that chronicle the war against the machines. Wonderful, ain't it?


Matt.

I liked T3 also, however I was left with a feeling of "Was that it?" I mean James Cameron who created this whole saga didn't want to do this one fair enough he had other work on. But I feel Jonathan Mostow was not the best director for Terminator. I mean he done an OK job but I feel given the chance David Goyer or even Jeph Loeb on the Producers end would have sparked a bigger feel for it.

Do get me wrong I love Terminator and the entire showcase, but I just did not like how certain aspects of T3 were handled!! Hopefully T4 will see the war, will see John Connor stepping up to grab his destiny!! Hopefully those Endoskeletons will look even more menacing too.

C.H.U.D. has posted this little story that makes this flick sound kinda, sorta cool. Click here to view the story (warning -- possible spoilers!)


Matt.

The first trailer is online here.

Looks pretty good so far.

You can't tell much from the teaser, but having Christian Bale in the lead is a good sign.


Phil

I find it very difficult to take this director seriously, his only real credit is Charlies Angels and he goes by the name of McG.

The script must be good to get Bale on board though. I think Bale is shaping up to be the best actor of the generation.

McG also directed We Are Marshall, which was very good by the way. This movie looks good.

~Zack~

Some leaked concept art.

Check out this sweet motion poster!

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/terminator-salvation-poster.html

~Zack~

Love all that concept art. Except for that motorbike thing. Not sure about that.

Poster's pretty sweet too.

Maybe Arnie would have a small role as a fighter, or someone who worked for Skynet.  His role could end with showing the first terminator modelled after him.

I wonder iof the Sarah Conner Chronicles will have any affect on the movie?  I find the series to be very smart.  And Summer Glau is a cool refreshing drink of water.


Phil

Smoking poster!

I hope Arnie wont be in it - they might use his likeness though. Idunno, I just got a more positive vibe going on without Arnie in it. From the little you can see in the teaser trailer it looks a more down and dirty movie - and I welcome that.

New trailer. QuickTime HD. Here.

Enjoy.

One word. AWESOMENESS! (Yes, this trailer gets it's own new word.)

~Zack~

Sweet! I'm getting pretty excited here.

But what the hell is Common doing in this movie?

Man those motorcycle droids or whatever make it look like Transformers all over. God damnit.

A lot fo good stuff in the trailer, but man I have a bad feeling that they went for "bigger is better" when what this franchise needs is "less is more". Stupid fuckin giant robots...

The new trailer is up over at Yahoo! Movies.

Oh and McG confirmed at Wondercon that Arnold will be back for the fourth film.

Quoted from McG at Wondercon McG at last gave TheArnoldFans.com confirmation that Arnold will be in T4 and that he is blown away by the ILM Arnold footage by academy award winner Charlie Gibson. TheArnoldFans: Let's talk Arnold. What's the latest with the ILM footage. How does the young CG Arnold look? McG: Ah, it looks reeeeeaal good. (McG confesses and sounds totally impressed and proud at last). Arnold just saw the movie two nights ago. That's right Arnold fans, you heard it; because Arnold liked very much what he saw with Terminator Salvation and his CG likeness, he scheduled a call-back for the director. Arnold wants to do business! McG: I'm going to see him AGAIN shortly and we're going to discuss what he wants to do and to what degree. TheArnoldFans: And he'll possibly record more dialogue? McG: yeah!

After watching the new trailer, all I can say is wow! I wasn't holding out much hope for this movie at all, but after the new trailer I can't wait to see it.

They seem to have got the tone just right - it kinda reminds of mad max. The only thing I didn't like was the choice of music in the background. It didn't fit the trailer at all.

Well. This movie is going to make MCG. About time too, he's a pretty damn talented director.

~Zack~

Too bad he's got a really really stupid name.