Paramount have today unveiled our first look at next year’s currently untitled TERMINATOR film (the sixth if we’re counting), and instead of the usual coyness associated with imagery released by studios this early on, it’s a doozy, featuring as it does our first look at the returning Linda Hamilton! Check it out…

Terminator

While rumblings a few years back that a new Terminator movie was in development filled many with despair – and we can forgive that, considering how frustratingly underwhelming 2015’s Genisys was – there’s been a slow resurgence of intrigue due to the announcements since. First up, the property’s originator James Cameron helped develop the story (albeit no doubt via Apple Notes from the set of Avatar 18), and came aboard as producer. Having not been in direct involvement since 1991’s Judgement Day, the films have steadily slipped in quality (how’s that for a hot take!), but with the original creator back on board Cameron will be protecting his legacy at all costs. Stubborn as the legendary filmmaker is known to be, but we’re sure even he knows that this will likely be the final chance the franchise has of resurrection via reboot. Secondly, the news that Linda Hamilton will be back as the iconic Sarah Connor. Cruelly written out in Rise of the Machines before mind-scrambling, time-bending plot contrivances saved her from death in the 2-season long TV series, The Sarah Connor Chronicles (annoyingly they took the trouble of explaining how the character dodged cancer, but not the more pressing question of why she now looked exactly like Lena Headey!), it’s exciting to see Hamilton getting another stab at the role that made her. Third, the fabulous Mackenzie Davis (centre), who blew us all away last year in two wildly acclaimed sci-fi projects, Black Mirror episode 3.4, San Junipero, and Blade Runner 2049. Last but by no means least… at the helm is director Tim Miller, who destroyed with his 2016 debut, Deadpool. Joining those guys is popular Columbian actress Natalia Reyes (left) as Dani Ramos, who scored the role over hundreds of actors answering Cameron’s casting call. Reyes herself confirmed that Ramos will be a central character in the new movie, and has signed on for the potential trilogy should audiences be convinced to pony up for a franchise that, 5 films in, has only really delivered fully twice. Rounding out the cast is Gabriel Luna, was last seen executing his fiery vengeance as Marvel’s Ghost Rider in the popular season 4 arc of the increasingly confident Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Though plot details remain firmly secured away in a Cyberdyne vault, word has it Luna will here swap the flaming skull for a metal one, portraying the film’s deadly new Terminator. It’s also confirmed that however things go in the way on Skynet this time, it will be deploying that popular of new tactics from storytellers and ditching the previous canon to continue from a more palatable point (see this month’s The Predator, and the upcoming Halloween for examples). Sorry Rise of the Machines fans, Kristanna Loken’s Terminatrix is no longer canon. And our condolences to that one Salvation fan, too. You’ll never get to find out why the hell John Connor had a Terminator exo-skeleton under his skin! Or what did happen to the Genisys back-up! (Boy, is this franchise a mess.)

Can this trio of warrior women save the series from extinction? All will be revealed November 2019!

Oh, and Arnie’s back too, if he’s your cup of tea.

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