Caffeinated Clint
I awoke to the news that “Terminator 5” was indeed a reality but furthermore the first chapter in a proposed Paramount-distributed new stand-alone trilogy not by the press release – which would come in later – but by a Facebook message from Jamie from Think McFly Think.
“my head exploded by the retardedness of that decision”, he wrote.
Ha Ha. I understand that trepidation, I do. And most movie fans, I see, share the same sentiment. I’m not without concerns for it either. For a start, let’s address the big worry : Arnold Schwarzenegger. He’s pushing 70. Are they planning on Schwarzenegger being in all these films? If not, that’s silly – we all know a Schwarzenegger-less “Terminator” film just doesn’t work (no matter how good the replacement actors may be); if they are – that’s silly too, the guy will be all Wilford Brimley by the time the third one gets around. And if, as Schwarzenegger said recently, the studio wants him to play ‘The Terminator’ again… it’s already a little difficult to swallow. For a start, won’t anyone notice he doesn’t look 30 anymore? And secondly, how’s he going to continue that facade through three more films?
Having said all this, if anyone can make a new “Terminator” trilogy work it’s Paramount, who has had great success in keeping that “Star Trek” brand fresh and exciting, but also Patrick Lussier, whose screenplays are usually not only packed with an energized freshness but are crafty – he writes films he wants to see, and as a fan of the ‘Terminator’ movies, I don’t think he’ll write something that will turn fans off. That would only sadden the fan within himself (at this stage, as far as I know, Lussier is only writing – with Laeta Kalorgridis- the first chapter in the new trilogy, but it’s possible he has mapped out the three films in treatment form).
The press release, as Jamie and I were discussing, didn’t refer to the new film as “Terminator 5” but as a “Terminator reboot” – suggesting something along the lines of a remake. I don’t believe they’ll remake the original films, they’re not stupid, I think they might just use a device (say a JJ Abrams-style time-travel device) to right the wrongs of “Terminator 3 : Rise of the Machines” (bringing back Sarah Connor) and “Terminator Salvation” to have the film play as more of a direct sequel to James Cameron’s first two films. I’ve no idea what the scenario of the films might be, I’m only speculating, but wouldn’t it be nice if… somehow they’ve managed to save Kyle Reese from being killed at the hands of the Terminator in that first movie, hence offering Michael Biehn an opportunity to reprise the guy – now significantly older, more battle-scarred and ready to go head-to-head with the robot who tried to take him out back in 1984?
The press release (below) only refers to the film as “Terminator” so don’t be surprised if that’s the title – ‘Terminator’ with the ‘The’.
HOLLYWOOD, CA (June 27, 2013) – Skydance Productions, Annapurna Pictures and Paramount Pictures have jointly announced they will partner on a rebooted “TERMINATOR” movie, to be released by Paramount Pictures on June 26, 2015.
The first in a stand-alone trilogy, “TERMINATOR” will be produced by Megan Ellison of Annapurna and David Ellison of Skydance. Dana Goldberg and Paul Schwake of Skydance will serve as executive producers. Laeta Kalorgridis (“Avatar,” “Shutter Island”) and Patrick Lussier (“Drive Angry”) are attached to write the screenplay.
Launched in 1984 with star Arnold Schwarzenegger as the title character, “TERMINATOR” spanned 3 subsequent films, which have earned over $1 billion at the worldwide box office.
David Ellison most recently executive produced, along with his partners at Paramount, “World War Z,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”. A 5th installment of in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise is in active development, along with a 3rd film in the “G.I. Joe” franchise, among other films.
Megan Ellison most recently produced the Academy Award®-nominated “Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Master” and executive produced “Spring Breakers” via her Annapurna Pictures banner and has David O. Russell’s “American Hustle,” Spike Jonze’s “Her,” and Bennett Miller’s “Foxcatcher” set for release later this year.
About Skydance Productions
Skydance Productions creates and produces elevated event-level commercial entertainment. In its strategic partnership with Paramount Pictures, the David Ellison-led company co-finances and produces several films per year with the studio in addition to developing their own projects. Paul Schwake serves as chief operating officer and Dana Goldberg is president of production. Skydance recent releases include WORLD WAR Z, starring Brad Pitt, which has already made over $111 million worldwide, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, garnering over $430 million worldwide at the box office and G.I. JOE 2: RETALIATION, starring Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson and has made over $369 million worldwide at the box office. Skydance’s next film, JACK RYAN, from director Kenneth Brannagh and starring Chris Pine, is set for release on December 25, 2013. Skydance’s previous projects include the award-winning Coen Brothers film TRUE GRIT; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL and JACK REACHER.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About Annapurna Pictures
Annapurna Pictures is a film production and finance company founded with the goal of boldly creating sophisticated, high-quality and ambitious films that appeal to a variety of audiences. Annapurna’s recent releases include Kathryn Bigelow’s multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated film ZERO DARK THIRTY; Paul Thomas Anderson’s multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated masterpiece THE MASTER; John Hillcoat’s LAWLESS and Andrew Dominik’s KILLING THEM SOFTLY. Annapurna’s most recent project, the 2012 Venice and Toronto break-out hit SPRING BREAKERS, directed by Harmony Korine starring Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco. Additionally, Annapurna acquired US rights to Wong Kar Wai’s THE GRANDMASTER, the story of martial arts master and Bruce Lee trainer Ip Man will be released later this year. Current projects include the Spike Jonze’s new film HER starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Rooney Mara, and Bennett Miller’s FOXCATCHER which is currently in post-production as well as David O. Russell’s AMERICAN HUSTLE starring Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, also currently in post-production, and set for a December release by Columbia Pictures. Further, the company has partnered with Nina Jacobson’s Color Force on the best-selling comedic novel Where’d You Go, Bernadette, written by Maria Semple and has partnered with Denver & Delilah and CJ Entertainment on the SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE remake written by William Monahan and starring Charlize Theron. Last spring, the company made a deal to back Panorama Media, which will serve as the international sales agent on select Annapurna projects.
