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VZSciFile Datafile: The Terminator Franchise

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Action adventure with a time travel twist, as freedom fighters from the future seek to save humanity in the past, pursued by relentless cyborgs...

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Terminator 3
James Cameron has confirmed he will not be climbing aboard to direct Arnold Schwarzenegger. According to Hollywood trade reports, Cameron, who wrote and directed the first two Terminators, has declined, apparently citing ireconcilabldfrences with the new film's producers, Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna.
"I don't think [Cameron] has talked to Mario or Andy about this in over a year," longtime associate Rae Sanchini told Daily Variety (13 July). Despite Schwarzenegger's return to the franchise, Sanchini said directing a sequel was never even a real consideration for the Oscar-winning Cameron.
"[Schwarzenegger and Cameron] are fabulous friends," added Sanchini. "And yes, they love working together, but no, he won't be directing the movie."
In June 2000, when Schwarzenegger confirmed he would be back again as the killer android, he told Access Hollywood, "My big wish is that Jim Cameron and I will work together again."
Previously: "We've been working long and hard to bring Terminator back to the screen and to have Arnold aboard," Vajna has commented. "This project brings together a team that has had fantastic successes and we look forward to working together again on this much anticipated project."
Producers Mario Kassar and Andrew Vajna announced they had signed two distributors as equity partners on the development and production of their Terminator 3 and Terminator 4 sequels at the end of March 2000 (Source: Hollywood Reporter). VCL is GermanyÕs leading independent video distributor, and Toho Towa a Japanese distributor. VCL is a 25 per cent equity partner on the sequels, and perhaps Toho Towa has a similar deal. No other distribution is set but a US studio deal is expected.
In addition to the 25 per cent equity stake, VCL holds an option to all German-language distribution rights, from theatrical to DVD. The 25 per cent stake will give VCL a quarter of all profits made on the film (including ancillary rights) worldwide.
Because VCL does not have a theatrical distribution infrastructure, it will resell theatrical and TV rights within Germany, which may put the video distributor on the map locally as a rights trader -- VCL is becoming increasingly active in this area.
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger. No word on whether Linda Hamilton is in the frame as yet. Arnold Schwarzenegger has officially committed to reprise his role as the Terminator cyborg in Terminator 3.
At the time of the VCL distribution deal announcement in March 2000 (see below), Kassar told Hollywood Reporter that even if Schwarzenegger decided not to be part of the new movie, it would go ahead. "I would love to have Arnold," the producer said. "If he chooses not to, it would be too bad, but weÕre making the movie.
"I must be honest -- with him (the box office) would be great, but itÕs such a franchise that it would almost hold its own without him."
Script: Tedi Sarafian (Tank Girl, Solar Crisis). (David Wilson, who was involved in "The Thomas Crown Affair" remake, has completed an 80-page treatment for "T4."). Hollywood Reporter says the story sees Schwarzenegger's Terminator battling a next-generation female terminator.
Producers: Andy Vajna and Mario Kassar
Director:  TBA. According to Variety, Schwarzenegger has final approval over who will direct the sequel.
Other Prod Personnel: TBA
Prod Company: C-2 Pictures
Production Notes: One of the first productions from C-2, headed by former Carolco Pictures principals Vajna and Kassar, is scheduled to start shooting in Los Angeles in late spring 2001.
Andy Vajna picked up the underlying rights to the third film way back in October 1997 for $8 million, $1 million of which went on the rights owned by the defunct producer of the first two films, Carolco, and auctioned off). Vajna and Mario Kassar (Vajna's supposedly former partner at Carolco) then bought producer Gale Anne Hurd's 50 per cent share of the franchise. The Terminator is based on a on a character James Cameron originally wrote with Gale Ann Hurd.
Schwarzenegger has long expressed his desire to reteam with James Cameron, saying many times that he would not do T3 without Cameron, and he has repeated this wish on his official we b site in relation to news of these latest T3 plans. Linda Hamilton, who played freedom fighter mother Sarah Connor, has indicated the same.
The relationship between Cameron and Kassar and Vajna is known to be tenuous, but Hollywood Reporter reported 21/06/00 that its sources indicated that not only had there been talks between Schwarzenegger and Cameron about him helming T3, but the director has read the script.
Terminator 3 has been a long time coming. Way back in 1998, Variety 'Dish' columnist Michael Fleming reported that sources told him James Cameron was planning to write and direct a third feature. Arnold Schwarzenegger was expected to return if Cameron committed to direct, even then. Lightstorm bigwig Rae Sanchini would also have produced.
US Release Date: The film is expected to be ready for Summer 2002.
UK Release Date: TBA
DirtSide Reviews: Bit early, mate!

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Spin-offs:
According to press reports surrounding recent news about the franchise, C-2 Pictures are also planning aTV series and a computer game based on the franchise. Those rights will also fall within the VCL deal and possibly within the Toho Towa deal.

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Sources: Access Hollywood, Hollywood Reporter, Schwarzenegger.com, Variety

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