Paramount Pictures really needed Terminator: Dark Fate to be a financial success, as the company has had years of box office failures (with a few hits here and there).
Terminator: Dark Fate was an equal co-investment between Skydance, Paramount and Tencent, so the risk was not solely on Paramount’s shoulders but Terminator was a big deal in that “revival” plan for the once great studio.
Terminator star Linda Hamilton, AKA Sarah Connor, spoke to CinemaBlend about the box office failure of Terminator: Dark Fate, the Terminator fanbase and the future of Terminator.
Linda Hamilton stated:
“I really think that box office is gonna be the thing that killed Terminator.”
Linda Hamilton told CinemaBlend
Terminator: Dark Fate only managed to pull in 29 million USD in its opening weekend (that’s $261 million worldwide) from an estimated $185 million budget (not including a reportedly huge marketing budget). The studios have of course been hoping to make up the loss with the home release, VOD and Red-box rentals.
Linda Hamilton then went on to mention the poor Terminator fan turnout for the theatrical release of T:DF; and the resulting consequences on the continuation of the newly planned trilogy…
“Of course it’s the studios that put hundreds of millions of dollars into a film, but it’s just a fickle world in terms of fandom and maybe they were just worn out by the Terminators that preceded.”
Linda Hamilton told CinemaBlend
“changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties or affections.”
Fickle (meaning)
We disagree with Linda about the fanbase being fickle – for years loyal Terminator fans across the world demanded the return of Linda Hamilton to this franchise. We at TheTerminatorFans.com, pushed for ten years for Linda to return to the role of Sarah Connor, and for the franchise to remember its bloody horror roots.
It is the studios who are disloyal to the source material and the fanbase – taking a hard-line with anyone who doesn’t sing from their hymn sheet.
Insiders at Paramount and Skydance agreed with box office analysts who commented on the poor box office opening of T:DF…
“a reflection of complete IP failure”
THR
If Dark Fate was about ‘kicking the can down the road‘ (delaying Judgment Day) then the studios are kicking the can of blame at everyone but themselves; add in a Director who insulted the fanbase/potential audience on more than one occasion, telling them he doesn’t give a fuck, and it was clear that there were big problems afoot.
The toxic marketing of Terminator: Dark Fate was polarising, managing to alienate a large swathe of the hardcore fans before the movie had even been released.
Fans have stood by this franchise through thick and thin, watched it go through the ups and downs, and have been vocal about what the series needed to do to stay relevant and be successful – these are not the actions of a fickle fanbase.
On potentially returning to Terminator, Linda Hamilton also said:
“I don’t have any desire to continue. I never did.”
Linda Hamilton told CinemaBlend
Though Linda then concluded with:
“Only if there’s something really viable in the script and story and characters, would I ever consider doing it again. Otherwise it’s just diminishing returns, isn’t it?”
Linda Hamilton told CinemaBlend
So, Linda says she has no desire to continue and never did… but she would consider doing another movie if the script/story and characters are viable…
A lot of trust for T:DF, within the fanbase, was based on the fact that Linda had turned down the poor script of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines due to the story not taking her character in any new directions and being something she didn’t want to play. Linda then signed on to Dark Fate based on the most bare bones of a pitch about her character, with no script or story. She said yes because James Cameron sold her on it – but she could have demanded a finished and solid script was presented first.
We previously read the T3: ROTM script that Linda turned down, and in our opinion it was better than Dark Fate and had more potential for Sarah Connor.
Is this the end for Sarah Connor in the Terminator franchise?
*Terminator: Dark Fate is apparently doing well on home release, and is currently #1 in the rental/Redbox charts and disc release charts.
Leave a comment.
26 Comments
Nope, it was just a very poor plot and weak new characters that killed it. Also what happened 5 mins into the movie made me really sad as an avid T2 fan.
Right on Brother the first five minutes destroyed the rest of what was an ok movie!!
I’m a sister by the way but glad you agree!
You’re retarded.
I’d like to read that T3: ROTM script that Linda rejected. Can’t say I blame her, but if only she knew.
I also wonder where Furlong would be had he reprised his role in T3 instead of Stahl, though the reason he didn’t was because of his domestic & substance abuse up to that point.
I remember reading that in some of the prototype T3ROTM scripts Sarah dies heroically (?) fighting the T-X baddie.
Not fighting the T-X but the two first Terminator prototypes that became the T-1 units. If memory serves correctly she tells John to run ahead and stays behind to hold them off.
Furlong wasn’t as good of an actor by T3 but I think it would have helped if it was Furlong, Danes, and Arnold. As for Hamilton, its a shame she feels the way she does because she really knows how to do the empowered female thing very well. The evolution of the character was done very well. She started off as a meek waitress, got stronger and stronger as the first one came to an end, then in T2 she was a total bad ass. I still haven’t seen DF yet, its on my list along with Chapter 2 of IT and Doctor Sleep. I have two of them on Vudu, just haven’t had the time to watch just yet.
Firstly, I believe Tim Miller was far too overpowering for pool ol’ James Cameron at his age.
Secondly, do we know what fanbase Linda Hamilton was looking at? Was it this one?
The other things I’ve said before, but I could repeat them now, and in fact I will.
Large screen TVs, mean people like myself would rather sit at home and watch the movie when it is released.
Going to the cinema in the freezing cold without my own transport, listening to a noisy audience and rattling of crisp packets is one experience I never want to endure again.
I’ll also mention that I find it difficult to avoid seeing the official trailer of Dark Fate, thus for me, a lot of the movie is spoiled because I already know what is going to happen. They did the same for Genisys.
There was not any CGI in T1 & T2, and we all loved it.
==
Oh and by the way, has anyone seen the first episode of The L Word: Generation Q?
Not far down the road the hottie cycles until she reaches these scenes in Silverlake.
A few minutes in to the 1st episode, one of the hotties rides her bike past
INTELLIGENTSIA, which is where Jody & Cameron sat.
Then she reaches Camouflage Clothing, which is next to the tall long wall with murals on it that Cameron walked past on the way to get John Connor some cheesy wotsits.
I wonder if they chose those scenes on purpose because they’re fans of TSCC?
2_4 Allison From Palmdale.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0922118,-118.2801196,3a,75y,212.54h,81.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1svhgKdT9gKYRn33rNQbDQzw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
The 1st is within a few hundred yards of the 2nd. I must admit I never knew that.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.0918311,-118.2796942,3a,20.2y,180.46h,84.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7RhVsM6hxjUZvnthcrt5Pg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Miller… too overpowering for James Cameron? Not to say Tim is a soft touch but James Cameron was never a push over and we doubt age has made him less tenacious. They butted heads over the final cut but James Cameron and David Ellison (as producers and rights owners) would have had more say in that process than Miller.
Maybe Linda was talking about the Bill & Ted fanbase? (joke)
Terminator: Dark Fate was pretty silent as a cinema going experience (for us). The only crisp AKA potato chip packet rustling was Sarah Connor’s in the movie.
“There was not any CGI in T1 & T2, and we all loved it.”
Ummmm…T2 practically invented CGI special effects.
I don’t care what she (Hamilton) says and means. She sold herself for money for a film that doesn’t have a terminator soul.
Much agreed friend.
Linda,
I know what you meant when you said ‘Everything is going as planned’ in regards to the new Terminator plot ideas… it was the establishment’s plan to push females to the forefront at the expense of men.
It’s not a good look for you, especially all the men that looked up to you and stood in line to have their shit signed.
Peace Linda.
How you dare to not like my awful movie, stupid fans?
-Tim Miller, currently working at Taco Bell
Haha, yes!!
So rise of the machines is better than dark fate is it.?
Mmm no sarah connor in rotm she died off screen.
Arnie asking us to talk to the hand.
And have you seen the hunter killer designs used in rotm.
Look i love the pallette and ideas in genisys but this is the first time we get a sequel that actually feels like it matches the intensity and purpose of the first 2.
Rotm did nothing but totally remake t2. With the only difference being the ending.
At least dark fate gives sarah a genuine purpose and presence in this movie.
Arnies t800 evolves from t2 and isnt just a parady.
And at least here there is a new threat with different AI.
The thing is for me this is the only sequel since t2 that feels like it belongs in the same conversation.
Rotm and genisys at times look stunning.
But the optimom word is look!!
Kyle replacements, different actors gussied up versions of t800 no sarah.
Dark fate may not be quite as visually stunning as the first 2 but the meat on the bone is real !!.
And thats the difference here.
And for me thats why dark fate is the true 3rd movie.
We were citing the original script for T3. It was a different movie and story. Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong were meant to reprise their roles.
And for all intensive purposes hamilton and furlong they did reprise thier roles in dark fate.
And thats another prime reason why dark fate will for me always sit above rotm and genisys as the true 3rd movie.
But again thats only my opinion.
Then technically Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in Terminator Salvation. Most of Arnold’s fans (and Arnold himself) say the movie sucks (the fans say that because they say he isn’t in the movie). It’s a stretch but we appreciate your opinion. Edward Furlong didn’t star in Dark Fate (our opinion).
Mmm you say we !!
So the larger majority wins does it.
Thats problem with the larger majority mentality
You think you speak for everybody and you dont.
Does rise of skywalker and last jedi ring a bell.!!
There not bad movies cause you dont like the direction.
And ive followed terminator since 1984.
I reckon im qualified!!.
At a stretch
When we say “we” we are referring to the staff of this website. Our website does not claim to speak for the entire fanbase. The staff of this website have varying opinions on a variety of movies and topics.
Our editor has also been a Terminator fan since the first movie – which according to your logic also makes them “qualified”.
One fan’s opinion does not make them superior to another. All opinions are valid. You like the Last Jedi, you like Dark Fate – there are probably many movies that you like that others don’t and vice versa, the problem is the idea that one must conform or be punished with a label “not a true fan”, “not a real fan” – the criteria of fandom is not so black and white. You are as entitled to your opinion as we are. Taste is subjective.
Youre right and well put.
But i wasnt attacking youre website.
Im greateful for my say so thank you.
Im only saying that it just saddens me where fandom has got to.
Movies arent necessarily bad because directors choices arent agreed with.
There seems to be s growing divide in fandom these days with movies.
Is it the movie , is it us, are we too hard.?
Who knows
“Movies arent necessarily bad because directors choices arent agreed with.”
Well…yes, they are bad if the director makes bad choices. That is quite literally what makes a bad movie.
I’m going to be “that guy:” It’s “intents and purposes,” not “intensive purposes.”
Il suffisait de garder John Connor dans l’histoire et mettre un peu plus d’ouverture entre l’homme et la machine et l’IA refaire des retour dans le passé n’a plus de sens et je pense que les fans attendent réellement la guerre dans le futur ! hors T3 a dejà tué sarah connor là on tue john connor ! ou sont passé le vrai script après T1 et T2 ,?