Despite theTerminatorfranchise helping to establish Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career, the actor knew some of the sequels failed to contribute much to the overall quality of the series. Schwarzenegger was still trying to prove himself in the movie business when he was cast in his most iconic role, playing theT-800 in James Cameron’sThe Terminatorin 1884.
The success of the movie not only launched Schwarzenegger’s career but alsothe long-runningTerminatorfranchise.Terminator 2: Judgment Dayfurther established Schwarzenegger as an action hero while also taking the franchise to exciting new heights. However, many fans felt that this also marked the last greatTerminatormovie.
Schwarzenegger played his iconic characterin a total of five movies, but many of the sequels fell short of expectations. While fans were not impressed with some of the later movies, it turns out that Schwarzenegger himself had doubts about some of theTerminatorsequels before they were even finished.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Knew Terminator: Genisys & Dark Fate Would Fail - And Why
Schwarzenegger Felt The Most Recent Sequels Lacked Solid Scripts
Arnold Schwarzenegger became the face of theTerminatorfranchise, remaining as the most consistent member of the team across five movies. However, when it comes to the overall franchise,Schwarzenegger admits that he only felt three of them actually worked. In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, he shared his views:
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.
These rather blunt admissions about the most recent sequels come after Schwarzenegger admitted in the same interview that he was done with theTerminatorfranchise, regardless of what other sequels come in the future. Part of that decision could be the lackluster quality of the last two movies and the idea that their failure was a foregone conclusion.
1984
1991
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
2003
2009
2008–09
2015
2019
Terminator Zero
2024–Present
While there are a number of issues critics and fans had withTerminator GenysisandTerminator: Dark Fate, the script was the major problem in both cases.While there were ideas of how to carry the franchise, they weren’t fully formed ideas. It is not hard to imagine that Schwarzenegger and others were not filled with confidence with these scripts.
Schwarzenegger’s assessment of theseTerminatorsequels reflects the recent comments James Gunn made about the problem with movies right now, insisting that it comes down to making movies that don’t have finished scripts.While these experiences left Schwarzenegger on a bad note with the franchise, he still expresses fondness for theTerminatoruniverse.
Schwarzenegger Has An Alternate View On Another Unloved Terminator Movie
Terminator 3 Is Also Not Popular With Fans
While there are many fans who would agree with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s comments about the writing issues onTerminator GenysisandTerminator: Dark Fate, they may be surprised by his mention of three good movies in the franchise. There’s a common perception that the first twoTerminatormovies are excellent, and the rest of the series is disappointing.
To be fair,Terminator 3is often regarded as the best of the post-Terminator 2movies.
Even so,Schwarzenegger clearly holds the third movie,Terminator: Rise of the Machines, in a higher regard than most. In fact,Rise of the Machinesis often seen as the moment the franchise began its downward trajectory, being the first movie withoutJames Cameron as a director.
To be fair,Terminator 3is often regarded as the best ofthe post-Terminator 2movies, even including a twist ending that many fans still praise. However, it doesn’t take risks in pushing the franchise forward, likeTerminator 2,nor does it have the same amazing action. It simply feels like a lesser version of what came before.
Though not a perfectTerminatormovie, it is not hard to see whyTerminator 3is more fondly remembered by Schwarzenegger. He was still being used as the franchise’s main character, compared to the later movies that pushed him to a more supporting role. It also marked the end of an era, as Schwarzenegger moved into politics shortly after.
