10 months beforeTerminator Genisysopened in theaters over the 4th of July holiday, Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions announced plans for twoTerminatorsequels, set for release in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Back in 2013, Skydance, which paid over $20 million for the franchise rights back in 2011, announced plans for a TV series, hiringZack StentzandAshley Millerto write the script. Now thatTerminator Genisyshas finally hit theaters, and the movie is underperforming, plans for these sequels and the spinoff TV show are in limbo, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
Terminator Genisyshas only taken in $82.1 million domestically since its July 1 release, but it has fared much better overseas, taking in $196.8 million for a worldwide tally of $278.9 million, from a $155 million budget. While the results certainly don’t classifyTerminator Genisysas abox officebomb, the studio was surely hoping for higher figures. The movie still hasn’t opened in China yet, but if it fails to hit big in that market, one of the biggest in the world, analysts believeTerminator Genisyscould end its theatrical run somewhere between $375 million and $400 million. One source at Paramount revealed that plans for the sequels andTV seriesare not set in stone, and will be contingent on the final box office figures.
“We will definitely need to see the holds globally to confirm that people like the film.”
Terminator Genisyshas suffered from harshmovie reviews, currently holding a 26% “Rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but still there may be hope for these planned sequels, even though the fans may not want them. Just over 70 percent ofTerminator Genisys' worldwide haul is from international territories, which is becoming increasingly important as studios decide which movies should get sequels or not. For example,Pacific Rimonly made $101 million domestically in 2013, but its international tally of $309.2 million ensured the green light forPacific Rim 2, hitting theaters in August 2017.
It isn’t known if directorAlan Tayloror screenwritersLaeta KalogridisandPatrick Lussierwill return to make the potentialTerminator Genisyssequels.Arnold Schwarzeneggerhas already said he will be back, most likely alongsideJai Courtney(Kyle Reese),Emilia Clarke(Sarah Connor) andJason Clarke(John Connor). Still, with the first sequel two years away, and no filmmakers attached, the studio may need to make a decision fairly quick, or abandoned their previously-set release dates to develop the sequels with new filmmakers.
Do you think Paramount should move forward with sequels toTerminator Genisys? Given the chilly reception at the box office and by fans and critics alike, the franchise certainly faces an uphill battle to reclaim its former glory. Even an endorsement from the franchise creatorJames Camerondidn’t seem to make any difference at the box office forTerminator Genisys. Perhaps its time the studio cuts its losses and moves on, but we’ll have to wait and see if that’s what the studio does.
