Terminator Franchise Has Been Targeted for Termination
The Terminator might be fond of uttering the immortal line ‘I’ll be back’ but, in reality, that looks exceeding unlikely after reports say the franchise is ‘on hold definitely’ after the poor performance of Terminator: Genisys.
If everything had gone to plan and Genisys hadn’t under-performed domestically – costing $150m blockbuster (not including marketing) the film didn’t break the $100m mark in the US (although, it performed rather well in China, where Paramount receives a lower percentage of ticket sales) – and been on the receiving end of some savage reviews, the film would have been the springboard for a whole new Terminator franchise.
However, despite a global box office take of $440m – again a quarter of which came from China – it appears that it’s a no go on an immediate follow up to Genisys. While there has been no formal announcement from Paramount or producer David Ellison, things would have to move soon if there were plans to get another Terminator film into cinemas in the next two years.
But it looks like the new trilogy plans themselves have been terminated, much like Terminator Salvation and its planned follow-ups.
Where that leaves the Terminator franchise remains to be seen. Buying the rights to make them was a costly endeavour so don’t be too surprised if there’s another attempt at cracking the franchise in the near future.
But, as for now, its Hasta la vista for Arnie and the Terminator franchise.