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Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble? (MOD CHALLENGE ITT)

N

NX74205

Captain
Captain
All,

The results are in and TS tanked at the box office this weekend. Terminator Salvation raked in only $53.3m over a 4 day memorial day weekend and was met by tepid if downright horrible reviews. Given the fact that the movie cost almost $200m to make, this weekend take has to have WB concerned. Also, the movie was out earned by Night at the Museum, and one has to remember that Adam Sandler's the Longest Yard opened up this same weekend opposite ROTS and still raked in about $47m.

In a non-related pitch Terminator:The Sarah Connor Chronicles was also canceled on TV this past week, also IMO giving the perception that the franchise may have already spun out its creative wheels. (Don't get me wrong I enjoyed TSCC and thought TS merely to be average.) Anyhow, I'm worried that TS box office return this weekend may at the worst doom T5. :confused:

IMO the Terminator franchise is on life support right now, which hurts since I am a huge fan.

What do you think?
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

I hear they're working on a time machine so they can go back and stop the new movie from ever existing.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

I think that Terminator wasn't necessarily such a sustainable franchise to begin with. T3 made decent money... until you realize how much less than T2 it was WITHOUT TAKING INFLATION INTO ACCOUNT (!)
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

The franchise is in a spot of bother, thers no doubt about that but T-4 will make at the least $150 million in the US though maybe a little more but thats not good against a $200 million budget. However wordwide sales + DVD's should bail out the film and I can see a 5th one being made but at a smaller budget.

Also don't be surprised if the trilogy becomes only a 2 movie plot.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

Stone_Cold_Sisko said:
I think that Terminator wasn't necessarily such a sustainable franchise to begin with. T3 made decent money... until you realize how much less than T2 it was WITHOUT TAKING INFLATION INTO ACCOUNT (!)
Click to expand...

I would disagree, a future war movie/series done right could have been or could be downright amazing.

I think the thing that irks me the most is that TS was such a missed oppurtunity for everyone involved. Bale could have established himself as the Harrison Ford of our generation by playing John Connor and Bruce Wayne, McG could have actually gotten a good name from this movie, the movie could have been a lot better as you saw the frameworks of something decent underneath all of the explosions....*sigh
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

How can anyone who calls himself McG ever EVER be taken seriously?
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

The franchise underperformed with T3, its mild success driven only by the fact that Arnie was reprising his role, and downright belly-flopped with TSSC.

It was in trouble well before T4 came along.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

Their first problem was no Cameron or Ahnold. Period.

Their second problem was the story was over and done with after the second one. They're just milking it at this point.

Their third problem is an alienated fanbase. The 3rd one pissed off people with it's stupidity and I guess most were expecting yet another crapfest with this one. Although I've heard its better then Part 3, as I haven't seen it.

Their fourth problem was getting a studio hack like McG to direct. The guy has yet to make a good movie. I can't knock him totally because he does produce my two favorite shows(Chuck, Supernatural). But his track record is not good.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

I agree that the franchise is in some trouble, but I don't think its dead and there will be another Terminator film sometime in the future. Now, I'm not sure if Bale, McG, or the current people will be attached, similar to Superman Returns. I think the Terminator name is too well known not to try to hit paydirt with it again.

Salvation is being a bit too unfairly savaged by critics, but at the same time it is underperforming and might struggle to make a profit. The last two weeks definitely weren't highlights for the franchise, but it'll get another chance on the big screen at least. I don't see Terminator ever returning to the small screen though. However, it would be cool to perhaps get a straight-to-DVD wrap up of the Sarah Connor chronicles.

I think Terminator doesn't necessarily need Cameron or Arnold, though including both helps any Terminator film tremendously. Salvation required a better script and more engaging performances. Perhaps, if we had gotten that, the vultures wouldn't be circling over the franchise right now.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

Skywalker said:
I hear they're working on a time machine so they can go back and stop the new movie from ever existing.
Click to expand...

"Come with Mr. Cameron, if you want your franchise to live." :lol:
flamingjester4fj.gif
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

T4 performed on the low end of expectations for sure. Saying it tanked is inaccurate. Still the main point can be agreed upon, its treading softly.
What still may happen this weekend and the weeks ahead is that its the only pure action film out there. Take this weekend for example. UP and Museum 2 will be competing for the same audience so T4 could find some better than expected legs as the only testerone alternative thats new.
Trek and Wolverine have seen most of their money. Angels and Demons isn't a direct competitor for the same type moviegoer leaving T4 another weekend or two to bail water and right the ship.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

One good thing though, the movie is getting somewhat better reviews from the average movie goer. That nonhostile word of mouth may save the movie and keep it afloat. You are right though, it is the only action far availible for the upcoming weeks, so it does have some time to right the ship.
 
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Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

I think a lot of the problem with the movie is the same thing that happened to SW:TPM. People have written this movie in their heads for the last 20 years. It would take something mind blowingly amazing to be a hit. Both films have major story problems no doubt about that but some things are better left unshown and up to our imaginations.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

I wouldn't be surprised if they offer Cameron truck loads of money to do the next one.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

Dammit, I keep thinking of Summer Glau whenever "Cameron" is mentioned. It's really confusing.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

Thrall said:
I wouldn't be surprised if they offer Cameron truck loads of money to do the next one.
Click to expand...

I think they did with this latest film and with T3 and he refused. Cameron honestly does not need the money. Cameron has basically said he has already told his story in the terminator universe and wants to leave it at that.
 
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?

I highly doubt Cameron would do it.

And if he did, he would probably demand that 3 and 4 be ignored and he do it all his way.

That would put the studio in a very unenviable position.
 
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