For many “Terminator” fans, there are really only two films that stand out, the original and James Cameron’s “T2.” Since then, fans have soured on the idea of more films (though the short-lived TV series “The Sarah Connor Chronicles” was underrated), due to the diminishing returns with each. But “Terminator: Dark Fate” seems like the first film since “T2” that might actually work.
Sure, we’ve seen ‘Terminator’ sequels before. Yes, we’ve already heard filmmakers say, “This time we did it right!” And even with the last film, the dumpster fire known as ’Genisys,’ we had James Cameron doing press, pumping up fans. But ‘Dark Fate’ has something none of the previous films had — Linda Hamilton.
That’s right, the original Sarah Connor is back. And according to a new interview with EW, Hamilton explains why ‘Dark Fate’ is the right time for the iconic action badass to make her return to a franchise that desperately needs a win.
“There is a real gift in that so much time has passed, and that gives me so much more to explore with the character,” said Hamilton. “Sarah Connor is the same person but I wanted to see how the difference in events have changed her and shaped her and send her forward. There was meat there. I didn’t want to just recycle the same idea. It’s a woman who has a different mission, a different story, so I wanted to see what we could do with that.”
And while we don’t really know the specifics about that mission or what’s happened to Connor in the three decades since “T2,” we do know that the character has changed, pretty drastically, actually, since her last appearance.
“She’s a woman without a country,” said the actress. “Her original mission has changed due to circumstances and she really doesn’t have a team anymore, she just has a thirst for vengeance, so that makes her very alone.”
Hamilton continued, “She’s still a wildcard, but a wildcard without a real true mission is a lot more unpredictable. Basically very hard for her to find her humanity, so once again we get to take a journey on that level, to have some deep things that need to be rediscovered for her survival.”
Look, common sense (and history) tells us that we shouldn’t expect anything great from ‘Dark Fate.’ We’ve been down this road with James Cameron and the ‘Terminator’ franchise before. But we can’t hep but get a little excited by Hamilton’s return and what it might mean for the upcoming film.
“Terminator: Dark Fate” is hitting theaters on November 1. Please, let it be good.