Tangent Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I'm going to assume that we all have a basic understanding of the way this franchise fell from glory. For those who don't, if I understand it correctly (Please feel free to correct anything I may've gotten wrong.): -James Cameron made the first 2, both which are highly regarded. -Fox wanted him to continue, but his basic issue was "the story is over, I've told it" and he wasn't interested in making a 3rd film. (To me such is generally an accepted ideal seeing as how he was the man behind the formation of the first 2.) (All Harlan Ellison arguments aside.) -Fox (owning the rights) said "Okay, we'll make a 3rd film anyway...watch this! We're gonna make us some money and everyone's gonna love us!" +Linda Hamilton said she wouldn't return because she didn't like the script. +Arnie said he wouldn't do another Term. film if Cameron wasn't involved. (Of course he caved.) +The 3rd film was made to the general dislike of fans and critics (especially when compared to the first 2.) -The franchise "died". -Many years later, Fox sold the rights to said franchise to the Halcyon co., who hired McG and others to make a new film (with hopes of making a new trilogy, set in the future we had been told about in the first films.) Most fans of the originals (myself included) were scared, but willing to hope the 4th film would be good. -The 4th film is released and it wasn't very good. At all. -The Halcyon co., going bankrupt, decided to offer up the rights to the franchise to the highest bidder (this is where we are now). -The basic idea here is that no longer would "who has the best ideas" or "who is the most dedicated" or "who is the most imaginative" or "who understands the ideas put forth in the first 2 films the best" or "who is the most talented" be allowed to have a shot at the continuation of the franchise. It all now comes down to "who has the most money/financial backing". Money triumphs over artistic integrity (as is often the case, unfortunately). Well, worry not! Joss Whedon has decided to fix it all!!! The other day he made a bid on the franchise along with sharing a few ideas about what he would do with such... An Open Letter to the Terminator Owners. From a Very Important Hollywood Mogul: Dear Sirs/Ma'ams, I am Joss Whedon, the mastermind behind Titan A.E., "Parenthood" (not the movie) (or the new series) (or the one where 'hood' was capitalized 'cause it was a pun), and myriad other legendary tales. I have heard through the 'grapevine' that the Terminator franchise is for sale, and I am prepared to make a pre-emptive bid RIGHT NOW to wrap this dealio up. This is not a joke, this is not a scam, this is not available on TV. I will write a check TODAY for $10,000, and viola! Terminator off your hands. No, you didn't miscount. That's four -- FOUR! -- zeroes after that one. That's to show you I mean business. And I mean show business. Nikki Finke says the Terminator concept is played. Well, here's what I have to say to Nikki Finke: you are a fine journalist and please don't ever notice me. The Terminator story is as formative and important in our culture -- and my pretend play -- as any I can think of. It's far from over. And before you Terminator-Owners (I have trouble remembering names) rush to cash that sweet cheque, let me give you a taste of what I could do with that franchise: 1) Terminator... of the Rings! Yeah, what if he time-travelled TOO far... back to when there was dragons and wizards? (I think it was the Dark Ages.) Hasta La Vista, Boramir! Cool, huh? "Now you gonna be Gandalf the Red!" RRRRIP! But then he totally helps, because he's a cyborg and he doesn't give a s#&% about the ring -- it has no power over him! And he can carry it AND Frodo AND Sam AND f@%& up some orcs while he's doing it. This stuff just comes to me. I mean it. (I will also offer $10,000 for the Lord of the Rings franchise). 2) More Glau. Hey. There's a reason they're called "Summer" movies. 3) Can you say... musical? Well don't. Even I know that's an awful idea. 4) Christian Bale's John Connor will get a throat lozenge. This will also help his Batwork (ten grand for that franchise too, btw.) 5) More porn. John Connor never told Kyle Reese this, but his main objective in going to the past was to get some. What if there's a lot of future-babies that have to be made? Cue wah-wah pedal guitar -- and dollar signs! 6) The movies will stop getting less cool. Okay. There's more -- this brain don't quit! (though it has occasionally been fired) -- but I think you get my drift. I really believe the Terminator franchise has only begun to plumb the depths of questioning the human condition during awesome stunts, and I'd like to shepherd it through the next phase. The money is there, but more importantly, the heart is there. But more importantly, money. Think about it. End this bloody bidding war before it begins, and put the Terminator in the hands of someone who watched the first one more than any other movie in college, including Song of Norway (no current franchise offer). Sincerely, Joss Whedon. . I think it's hysterical. Sure, he's kind'a being an ***hole, but that's acceptable to me because overall he's correct. (Note that he's also being self-deprecating and sarcastic, both of which he is known for.) Thoughts? (I can already see this turning into a few arguments, my apologies to Spoony, but I still thought it was worth posting.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Spoon Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Not at all. It'll be a good way to start a new discussion about where the next films may go (if made at all) That's some funny stuff. How do you know it was actually Whedon who wrote it up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Dragon Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 This reminds me of the "Michael Bay presents Michael Bay's Dark Night" That was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangent Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 How do you know it was actually Whedon who wrote it up? I read about it thru a basic summary of entertainment (film/tv/music/etc) blogs/info. Therefore it's made it's way across the blogesphere/what-have-you. I tracked down the source. It's up on whedonesque.com under his personal nomer, with follow-up comments by him under such, so if it's not him at least he's not claiming it's not. . We should all note that, while he's often claimed to be a huge fan of post apocalyptic stories (see "Dollhouse"'s "Epitaph One", he's just joking around in order to make a broader point about the situation as a whole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Jade Skywalker Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 4) Christian Bale's John Connor will get a throat lozenge. This will also help his Batwork (ten grand for that franchise too, btw.) HAHAHA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svenn Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 It's definitely from Whedon himself. I google-news'd it, and this Entertainment Weekly article came up: Link EW called him to ask him about it. Oddly enough, the EW writer seems to think that Whedon was positioning himself so that a potential buyer might consider him for any future Terminator work. Uhh...I don't see that at all. He must have knocked the reporter off track with his comment: “Here’s the thing: It’s not a slam on The Terminator. I love The Terminator. That part’s totally true. I was thinking to myself, ‘Not since they auctioned off frames from The Little Mermaid have I wished I had more money this much. So you know what, never hurts to ask.’ I loved the movies, even the later movies. I loved the mythology. I loved the TV show [The Sarah Connor Chronicles]–like, really loved. Not for pretend. And not just because of [star] Summer [Glau]. “But mostly, it’s just me being a dumb-ass, because that seems to be what I do best — I’m not even very good at that. So, no, I do not think they’re going to call me and say ‘Congratulations! We’ll have that $10,000 now.’ Although, it would be non-exclusive. Other people could make Terminator movies and TV shows too. I’m just putting that out there in case you publish this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Q Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I don't remember FOX ever having involvement with the Terminator franchise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destiny Skywalker Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 4) Christian Bale's John Connor will get a throat lozenge. This will also help his Batwork (ten grand for that franchise too, btw.) HAHAHA.Count me in for some LOLs too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NumberSix Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Nikki Finke says the Terminator concept is played. Well, here's what I have to say to Nikki Finke: you are a fine journalist and please don't ever notice me. Favorite part. 1) Terminator... of the Rings! Yeah, what if he time-travelled TOO far... back to when there was dragons and wizards? (I think it was the Dark Ages.) Hasta La Vista, Boramir! Cool, huh? "Now you gonna be Gandalf the Red!" RRRRIP! But then he totally helps, because he's a cyborg and he doesn't give a s#&% about the ring -- it has no power over him! And he can carry it AND Frodo AND Sam AND f@%& up some orcs while he's doing it. This stuff just comes to me. I mean it. (I will also offer $10,000 for the Lord of the Rings franchise). Second favorite part. I'd pay money to hear a Judgment Day filk song in Elvish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Darth Hunter Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 The trailer for Terminator: Genisys has arrived: http://www.superherohype.com/news/323817-he-is-back-the-terminator-genisys-trailer-is-here#/slide/1Before seeing this trailer I was excited for this film, but now I'm not sure what to think. especially after reading that article. I mean, did that seriously say "...and also revealing Sarah Connor was raised by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator, whom she calls 'Pops.' ' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest El Chalupacabra Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Yeah, this seems a reboot, and mainly just going to exist to give Arnie a paycheck and stroke his ego. I don't think he gets the idea that Terminator, as a franchise, can go on just fine without him. I would have been a lot happier if they had just tied the Sarah Conner Chronicles into Salvation, somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pong Messiah Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Seriously mixed feelings. Looks like it could be super fun or so incredibly dumb it's just no fun at all. Sledgehammer nods + switcheroos are also not a big thing for me. Not writing this off entirely, but definitely not excited for it, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driver Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Yeah, this seems a reboot, and mainly just going to exist to give Arnie a paycheck and stroke his ego. I don't think he gets the idea that Terminator, as a franchise, can go on just fine without him. I would have been a lot happier if they had just tied the Sarah Conner Chronicles into Salvation, somehow. There may not be a direct nod-- but I think the idea of this movie is acknowledging it is a reboot and all the other movies and TV show were alternate timelines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest El Chalupacabra Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 Yeah, this seems a reboot, and mainly just going to exist to give Arnie a paycheck and stroke his ego. I don't think he gets the idea that Terminator, as a franchise, can go on just fine without him. I would have been a lot happier if they had just tied the Sarah Conner Chronicles into Salvation, somehow. There may not be a direct nod-- but I think the idea of this movie is acknowledging it is a reboot and all the other movies and TV show were alternate timelines. Yeah, I got that impression, too. Even the directors cut of T2, seemed to just end up being an alternate timeline, or at least could be interpreted that way. I am kind of over Terminator, at this point. How many timelines and recasts of John Conner do we need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryn Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Despite being meh about the whole reboot, I'll admit seeing the T-1000 again gave me chills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pong Messiah Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Ryn -- that's kinda how I feel. Not even a Schwarzenegger fan, but somehow, I see he's in this, and I get a dim hope that the movie will at least be a lot of fun to watch. Without him, even if (hope against hope) there's good writing and a scintillating plot, I can't shake the feeling it'll just be a dreary affair -- and I LIKE post-apocalyptic nonsnse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevil Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I think that looks pretty cool. I had no intentions of seeing the last two films as they totally lost appeal for me. However this one seems to be bringing back a bit of good old 80s/90s action thriller to the series and it doesn't look half bad even if it is a kind of rehash of the second film. The first two films were in themselves a paradox so I have no problem with them rebooting the whole thing at all seeing as they can't undo those mistakes now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamonAtila Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 The future of the Terminator franchise: We send a T-1000 back in time to destroy Terminator 1 & 2 so that there is no future of the franchise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest El Chalupacabra Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Ryn -- that's kinda how I feel. Not even a Schwarzenegger fan, but somehow, I see he's in this, and I get a dim hope that the movie will at least be a lot of fun to watch. Without him, even if (hope against hope) there's good writing and a scintillating plot, I can't shake the feeling it'll just be a dreary affair -- and I LIKE post-apocalyptic nonsnse!I dunno, this looks more like a Terminator's greatest hist montage movie, to me. I'm probably going to see it, but I think l will wait until its out on video, unless I hear A LOT of good buzz. Despite being meh about the whole reboot, I'll admit seeing the T-1000 again gave me chills.The thing that struck me was that they cast actors that look a lot like Robert Patrick and Linda Hamilton, but how did they get the casting of Kyle Reese so wrong? They guy might be a good actor, but he looks nothing like Michael Bein. John Conner I understand, since there's been like half a dozen actors play him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacen123 Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I just hope that, if this one gets a sequel, John Connor will be recast again even if this guy is amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NumberSix Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I dunno, this looks more like a Terminator's greatest hits montage movie, to me.Same here. Most of the trailer was a 30-year-old rawk band playing their worn-out singles for what they hope is a crowd that's mired in the past and loves reruns. As if I weren't grouchy enough, they went and recast Kyle Reese with the same musclebound quasi-actor that helped ruin the fifth Die Hard. I'm not a fan. The closest I had to a happy response to any of this was, "That bus crash would be awesome if I could pretend for one second that it was all practical effects." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Copper Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I saw a thread started by Tangent (who is doing fine people- and still occasionally lurks) and was like "whaaaaaat" because I never thought he would post again. And then. Disappointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driver Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Why did he leave forever? I get all the leave forever tales confused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacen123 Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 So he didn't get terminated from here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Copper Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Lol. He just doesn't care enough to post. No exciting drama, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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