We’re inundated with reboots, but if there’s a franchise that could actually use one, it’s Terminator. The idea of killer robots bringing on the apocalypse is an evergreen concept (we’re going to see it later this year in The World’s End), but the current trajectory of the franchise has run out of steam. Terminator Salvation was a dud, but now we’re soldiering on with Terminator 5. Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to return, and since that was the case, fans hoped it would be as a human character (somehow not Sergeant Candy) because why would Skynet churn out old, saggy terminators? However, Schwarzenegger has revealed that he will indeed be the Terminator in the fifth installment, and shooting is set to begin in January.
Hit the jump for more.
arnold-schwarzenegger-terminator-photoA couple days ago, we learned that Paramount Pictures was in talks to distribute the upcoming sequel, and that the pieces were falling into place with Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island) and Patrick Lussier (Drive Angry) working on a script. Justin Lin was attached to direct at one point, but he decided to do Fast & Furious 6 instead. Since that’s done and T5 is still looking for a director, I’m curious if he could be lured back. Schwarzenegger was already tipped to return, but the screenwriters will have to find a reason why an even older robot has rolled off the line, and how he’ll relate to the events of Terminator Salvation since that’s considered canon. The series could get away with his age in Rise of the Machines, but now it’s a serious stretch. Schwarzenegger doesn’t seem too bothered by the idea or reprising any of his other famous roles [via TheArnoldFans]:
In fact, I’m very happy that the studios want me to be in Terminator 5 and to star AS the Terminator, which we start shooting in January and I’m also going to do King Conan – to play that role and also to do another Twins movie. So I feel very proud of that. I feel very happy and I’m looking forward to doing those films.
Before he starts stepping back into his former blockbusters, Schwarzenegger will attempt to move past the flop The Last Stand and towards the upcoming action flicks Escape Plan (formerly The Tomb) and Ten.
