Sometimes, we like to invite our readers to go back in time to remember a specific film moment. Today, let’s go back to 2015, the last time that the world was on the verge of seeing a new ‘Terminator’ sequel, “Terminator Genisys.” James Cameron, the godfather and creator of the series, went publicly and promoted the hell out of the film, touting it as the best sequel yet.
“I feel like the franchise has been reinvigorated. [‘Genisys’] is a renaissance,” Cameron infamously said back 2015. Obviously, that wasn’t the case.
But now, Cameron is back, hyping up a ‘Terminator’ sequel. However, instead of just being the “fanboy” like he was last time, the filmmaker has a “Story by” credit and is a producer on “Terminator: Dark Fate.” And according to Cameron, ‘Dark Fate’ is the closest thing we’ll get to the action and spectacle of his first two films. And yes, it will be rated R.
“I think, tonally, what makes this a direct sequel to ‘T1’ and ‘T2’ is as much about the tone as it is about the narrative: it’s R rated, it’s grim, it’s gritty, it’s fast, it’s intense, it’s linear,” said Cameron. “The whole story takes place in 36 hours. It’s not this kind of grandiose, complex story. It’s just very focused on the characters, it’s very now, it’s very present and it’s just a fast white-knuckle ride.”
(Note: Original video is credited to Flicks and the City, but has since been removed. We have a re-uploaded version below.)
Sounds a lot like the previous films he references, which both threw audiences in with the characters and never let up the gas at any point. And before you know it, the film is over, and the characters have had the craziest day and a half ever. So, if ‘Dark Fate’ does something similar, at least it will feel like a true ‘Terminator’ film.
But ‘Dark Fate’ isn’t just going to feel like another sequel in the franchise. The film will also look pretty familiar, as well. This is courtesy of not only Arnold Schwarzenegger (who is no stranger to a bad ‘Terminator’ sequel), but also returning star Linda Hamilton, who reprises her Sarah Connor role from the first two films. That’s right, one of the biggest badasses (female or male) in an action movie is coming back to wipe out more cyborgs.
READ MORE: Linda Hamilton Looks Bad-Ass In ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ But That Might Be It [CinemaCon]
“So Sarah has become a Terminator hunter,” revealed Cameron. “She’s not waiting to be hunted by a Terminator, she hunts them. She’s figured out a way to be there when they pop through time and she just blows their shit away. Pretty much that simple. Hey, it’s gonna be an R-rated movie, so I can swear.”
Again, what Cameron is saying feels right. Having Sarah become a “Terminator hunter” is a pretty logical, natural progression for her character after the years and adventures she’s experienced. So far, Sarah has gone from a meek, scared young woman to slightly unhinged, but brave and badass, warrior. Now, she’s got some age on her side, and thus is able to quickly whip out a bazooka and kill some murderous robots. We approve.
The real question is whether or not, as mentioned, this is Cameron again blowing smoke up the collective ass of “Terminator” fans around the world. To quote former President George W. Bush, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me…we can’t get fooled again.”
“Terminator: Dark Fate” arrives in theaters on November 1.
https://vimeo.com/338153268
