Diminishing returns is a term used in business quite a bit. It’s the idea that eventually, over time, a product just doesn’t perform as it did previously. In film, there’s no better example of this than the “Terminator” franchise. After the first two films were released (and went on to become sci-fi/action classics), the franchise has continued to pump out sequels with diminishing returns, both creatively and financially. Though Arnold Schwarzenegger, the poster child for the franchise, believes the franchise will continue in the future, he’s finally ready to call it quits.
Speaking to THR, Arnold Schwarzenegger talked about his upcoming projects, including his Netflix action series, “FUBAR,” but as you might expect, the conversation took a ‘Terminator’ detour. And when discussing the franchise which really put him on the map, the actor is incredibly blunt and honest when it comes to the state of ‘Terminator’ and his place in it.
“The franchise is not done. I’m done,” Schwarzenegger explained. “I got the message loud and clear that the world wants to move on with a different theme when it comes to ‘The Terminator.’ Someone has to come up with a great idea. ‘The Terminator’ was largely responsible for my success, so I always would look at it very fondly. The first three movies were great. Number four [‘Salvation’] I was not in because I was governor. Then five [‘Genisys’] and six [‘Dark Fate’] didn’t close the deal as far as I’m concerned. We knew that ahead of time because they were just not well written.”
While there are folks (aka ‘Terminator’ apologists) who will find good in some of the later sequels (hell, even I can find a couple of decent things in ‘Dark Fate’), you can’t say that Schwarzenegger is wrong with his assessment. James Cameron and the various filmmakers he’s enlisted over the years have done their best to throw every storytelling trick at the ‘Terminator’ franchise to keep it going. Prequel? Yep, look at ‘Salvation.’ Time-travel/multiverse weirdness? ‘Genisys.’ Legacy Reboot/Sequel? ‘Dark Fate.’ TV series? ‘Sarah Connor Chronicles.’ At this point, all that really remains is a full-on remake or a complete reinvention.
Regardless of what comes next (and we all know there will be something next), it’s clear that Schwarzenegger is ready to call it quits with anything ‘Terminator.’ And honestly, as a fan of the franchise, that’s probably a good idea.