James Cameron advises Arnold Schwarzenegger on new Terminator
Terminator sequel must be 'more about' Schwarzenegger's T-800 character, says director of original films
Arnold Schwarzenegger is planning to return to the iconic role of the Terminator. Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/MGM
James Cameron has told Arnold Schwarzenegger to ensure he is the focus of the next Terminator film before signing up to return to the iconic role.
Cameron, who directed the first two films in the dystopian sci-fi series but was not involved in the most recent two, has signalled his distaste for later Terminator entries on multiple occasions, famously pointing out that he "told the story" in 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day. However he told MTV he met up with Schwarzenegger last autumn and tried to be "as encouraging as possible" about the proposed project.
"Frankly, at that time, I thought it needed to be more about him," Cameron said. "I told him he should not do it until it's focused on his [T-800] character, or he shouldn't do it. I think there are some great stories that can be told about that character that haven't even been thought of yet."
After eight years away from Hollywood, the former California governor signalled his intention to return to the role of the Terminator in April last year. Justin Lin, currently the toast of Hollywood after returning the Fast and Furious franchise to box office credibility, was set to direct but dropped out in September.
The return of Schwarzenegger (even at the age of 64) to his most iconic role makes a fifth Terminator film a tantalising prospect for studios, even if the series has not been at its best since Cameron's last outing. The first non-Schwarzenegger film, 2009's Terminator Salvation, was the worst-reviewed so far, although it still made $370m (£225m) globally (albeit on an enormous $200m budget). The former bodybuilder appeared only as a CGI recreation of his younger self.
Terminator 5 was being touted around studios last year, but Schwarzenegger put plans for the film and his return to acting on hold in May when it was revealed he had fathered a child with a household employee outside of wedlock more than a decade ago. The Austrian-born actor and his wife Maria Shriver filed for divorce in July after 25 years of marriage, but there have since been rumblings that Schwarzenegger is still planning a Hollywoood comeback. He is due to star alongside old comrade Sylvester Stallone in the action film The Tomb for director Mikael Håfström, and has also signed on for a sequel to the 1988 comedy Twins, which saw him portray Danny DeVito's not-so-identical sibling. Titled Triplets, the film will add a third long lost brother into the mix, with Eddie Murphy the current favourite to take on the role.
Cameron, who directed the first two films in the dystopian sci-fi series but was not involved in the most recent two, has signalled his distaste for later Terminator entries on multiple occasions, famously pointing out that he "told the story" in 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day. However he told MTV he met up with Schwarzenegger last autumn and tried to be "as encouraging as possible" about the proposed project.
"Frankly, at that time, I thought it needed to be more about him," Cameron said. "I told him he should not do it until it's focused on his [T-800] character, or he shouldn't do it. I think there are some great stories that can be told about that character that haven't even been thought of yet."
After eight years away from Hollywood, the former California governor signalled his intention to return to the role of the Terminator in April last year. Justin Lin, currently the toast of Hollywood after returning the Fast and Furious franchise to box office credibility, was set to direct but dropped out in September.
The return of Schwarzenegger (even at the age of 64) to his most iconic role makes a fifth Terminator film a tantalising prospect for studios, even if the series has not been at its best since Cameron's last outing. The first non-Schwarzenegger film, 2009's Terminator Salvation, was the worst-reviewed so far, although it still made $370m (£225m) globally (albeit on an enormous $200m budget). The former bodybuilder appeared only as a CGI recreation of his younger self.
Terminator 5 was being touted around studios last year, but Schwarzenegger put plans for the film and his return to acting on hold in May when it was revealed he had fathered a child with a household employee outside of wedlock more than a decade ago. The Austrian-born actor and his wife Maria Shriver filed for divorce in July after 25 years of marriage, but there have since been rumblings that Schwarzenegger is still planning a Hollywoood comeback. He is due to star alongside old comrade Sylvester Stallone in the action film The Tomb for director Mikael Håfström, and has also signed on for a sequel to the 1988 comedy Twins, which saw him portray Danny DeVito's not-so-identical sibling. Titled Triplets, the film will add a third long lost brother into the mix, with Eddie Murphy the current favourite to take on the role.
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