[ EW REVEALS TWO NEW T4 PROMO PICS ] +JAN 03 2009

Entertainment Weekly.com debuts two exclusive new stills from TERMINATOR:SALVATION in their article on First Look at 12 Big Movies Coming in 2009.  Check out the pair of photos featuring looks at Christian Bale as John Connor versus the T-600 Terminator, and read an excerpt from EW's interview with director McG about his respect for the TERMINATOR mythology.

Click images to view full report

[ TERMINATOR JOINS NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY ] +DEC 30 2008

Arnold Schwarzenegger's career-making film debut will be back forever as the Library of Congress adds James Cameron's 1984 sci-fi thriller THE TERMINATOR to the National Film Registry.  Cameron's franchise-forging hit joins 24 other films slated for permanent preservation as "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant to American cinematic history.  Jump to our article on the official press release and congratulations to everyone involved with this dystopian classic.

[ TWO NEW TERMINATOR 4 PHOTOS 'REJECTED' ] +DEC 24 2008

Fear not, no photos were rejected in the writing of this article — but Film School Rejects did post two new stills from TERMINATOR:SALVATION yesterday.  The close-up shot puts John Connor (Christian Bale) within finger-snapping distance of a Hydrobot, and the second pic illustrates more of the desolate destruction found in the post-Judgment Day world of T4.   Click the link above or the images below to see the full-size photos.

[ FIFTH TERMINATOR LOOMS AHEAD IN FUTURE ] +DEC 15 2008

Variety reports that executives of The Halcyon Company producing TERMINATOR:SALVATION confirmed that a fifth TERMINATOR film is already under development with a tentative 2011 release scheduled.  Producers Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek announced the T4 sequel at the Dubai International Film Festival, stating that the highly positive response to the McG's 2009 film to proceed with its sequel before TERMINATOR:SALVATION opens next May.

Director McG is reported to be working with Halcyon on development of T5, but it is not yet confirmed if he'll direct the sequel.  Actor Christian Bale is already signed to star in three TERMINATOR films for the company, as the Variety report states that Anderson and Kubicek definitely envisioned a trilogy of new TERMINATOR stories when they obtained the franchise rights from C2 in 2007.

[ NEW PHOTO OF SKYNET TERMINATOR FACTORY ] +DEC 11 2008

Visit the TERMINATOR:2018 Recon Photo Library to view the latest full-size image released from TERMINATOR:SALVATION — John Connor's moody and dangerous venture into Skynet's Terminator factory as two T-600 endoskeletons hang suspended on a grimy assembly line.

View Terminator factory image from TERMINATOR:SALVATION

[ TERMINATOR:SALVATION TRAILER 2 ONLINE ] +DEC 10 2008

Per the official TERMINATOR:SALVATION website blog, the TERMINATOR:SALVATION Trailer 2 is now available for viewing and download in QuickTime and Windows Media formats in our TERMINATOR:2018 Video Surveillance sector.

Watch and download the TERMINATOR:SALVATION Theatrical Trailer 2

[ T4 MOTION POSTER PUTS AD INTO ACTION ] +NOV 25 2008

Sony Pictures has unleashed an international Flash animation poster for TERMINATOR:SALVATION which puts the concept of Judgment Day into rather cool effect, turning an overview of Los Angeles into the fiery, scarred wreckage of a Terminator skull.  What says Thanksgiving better than apocalyptic animation from the future?!  Make sure your Flash player plug-in is updated and watch the poster below:

INTERNATIONAL T4 MOTION POSTER	DOMESTIC T4 MOTION POSTER

Warner Brothers now offers a domestic Flash animation poster for TERMINATOR:SALVATION with May 22 release date.  Link jump to the Warner Brothers version of the poster or click the image on the right to view the motion poster.

[ TERMINATOR RUMORS SET STRAIGHT ] +NOV 20 2008

Total Film ran an informative article yesterday pinning down director McG on four prevalent rumors surrounding TERMINATOR:SALVATION. From the horse's mouth, as it were, these rumors are confronted head-on: is the story ending leaked by AICN true? Did James Cameron give T4 his blessing?  Did Christian Bale almost not sign to be John Conner?  And will Ah-nold appear in the film? 

No, no, yes and maybe are the four answers, but to find out which questions they answer you'll have to read the article.

[ T4 CONCEPT ART REVEALS NEW TERMINATORS] +NOV 11 2008

io9 unleashed a set of cool concept renderings for TERMINATOR:SALVATION, including views of the massive Harvester giant, the lethal Hydrobot, the high-speed Moto-Terminator, a Frankensteinian T-600 design and the classic Hunter-Killer flying platform.  View the full set of art images with io9's article linked above and below.

MOTO-TERMINATOR DETAILS	HYDROBOT ATTACK CLOSE-UP

[ McG BLOG UPDATE: THE FUTURE SO FAR ] +OCT 22 2008

Director McG added a new entry 'The Future So Far...' to the official TERMINATOR:SALVATION website blog.  Principal photography has wrapped and they're surging through post-production now.  McG tells of Christian Bale and Sam Worthington's reactions to early assembly of the film, and comments on the TERMINATOR frachise's legacy of advancing the art of visual effects.  While the director promises that T4 will continue that proud cinematic tradition, McG also promises the film explores and advances the story line and characters as well.  Here's an excerpt of effects to come next May:

Charlie Gibson is aware of his responsibility as the VFX supervisor and second unit director of this film. He works with ILM and Asylum every day and makes revisions to the finest detail. We want the patina of the machines to be dirty and heavy and perfectly realistic - that's why we built so much practically with Stan Winston. But at some point the effects kick in and like any Terminator fan, Charlie wants his mind blown. There's one sequence in particular where we're trying to achieve something that's never been done before. I don't want to talk about it because we haven't been successful yet...

But we're working on it.

Stay tuned for more official updates from McG as the future marches ever closer toward TERMINATOR:SALVATION.

[ PLAYMATES TOYS PREVIEW T4 LINEUP ] +OCT 16 2008

At the Fall Toy Preview in Dallas, Playmates Toys revealed its ambitious plans to dominate the franchise film toy market in 2009 and beyond with numerous action figure sets and interactive items based on TERMINATOR:SALVATION.  From Playmates' official press release statement:

Heralding the fourth installment in the iconic, billion-dollar TERMINATOR franchise, The Halcyon Company’s production of TERMINATOR:SALVATION — debuting May 22, 2009, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Sony Pictures — Playmates Toys will launch an edgy line of collectible action toys targeting kids and collectors.  With a strategic vision for establishing a solid action toy segment for the next several years, the initial film window launch will include a full assortment of fully-articulated action figures (multiple scales) featuring new, never-seen-before TERMINATORS; battle-ready replica vehicles; and signature role play items: the TERMINATOR T-600 Voice ‘n’ Vision Skull with authentic red light-up eyes, voice changer/sound effects and the TERMINATOR Deluxe T-600 Fist that vibrates, fires and emits sounds. In the Fall, kids and collectors can build their world and collections out with the SKYNET playset: assortments of six new figures in basic (3¾”) and deluxe scales (6”); several new signature vehicles including remote control and skin peeling TERMINATORS in super size (10”); and much more.

Playmates will have a busy summer indeed, having also beamed down the toy tie-in contract for T4's May box office competitor, STAR TREK.  Press release courtesy of Action Figure Insider where you can read the full details.

[ COMIC-CON REVEALS TERMINATOR 4 POSTER ] +JUL 30 2008

Along with the panel appearances by McG, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin, Common, Moon Bloodgood and a T-600 endoskeleton, fans enjoyed a TERMINATOR:SALVATION preview reel and this teaser poster (below).  While the clips were light on CG visual effects (naturally the last material to be completed) and offered only glimpses of the Terminators themselves, Comic-Con crowds left impressed with both the director's take on the popular franchise and the serious tone of this next installment.   Get the full-size T4 poster in our File Downloads:

Note: it was my intent to attend and cover Comic-Con 2008 for FILMEDGE this summer, but a family illness prevented me from being there.  Had I attended, my preview coverage of TERMINATOR:SALVATION would be more complete — personal priorities superceded those of this website, as I'm sure you all will understand.  Meanwhile, I'll link you up to some of the better coverage and insights available on T4 panel by Rope of Silicon, EW.com, and Trailer Addict hosts a superb 12-minute panel vid which is must-see Terminator TV in our Video Surveillance sector

[ McG BLOG UPDATE: PROMETHEUS ] +JUL 21 2008

TERMINATOR:SALVATION director McG added his latest update 'Prometheus' to the official website blog, confirming he and the crew have completed 50% of production just before his break to preview T4 at Comic-Con next week.  McG is quick to point out how his film will be the chronological flipside of the three previous installments in the franchise:

All three Terminator films took place present day, with Terminators traveling back in time to attack. This picture takes place after Judgment Day. It happened. Everything is gone. The story of the movie is the "brink moment" Reese always talked about.

McG also offers some intriguing clues and insights into how taking to story to John Connor's post-apocalyptic doorstep changes both the tone and the meaning of the story:

Every morning and every night Christian and I work on the story. Sam's contribution has been excellent. We are committed to putting the story and character first and then supplementing that with action and visual effects. It is our intention to make a film on a large scale with the nuance and subtext of a high quality independent picture.

The richness of the story is really coming out now. It's a Prometheus tale really, how creating life creates real responsibility - and if left unchecked, can be our undoing.

Read the full blog entry and stay tuned for more updates as Comic-Con promises to reveal even more about TERMINATOR:SALVATION.

[ TERMINATOR:SALVATION TEASER ONLINE ] +JUL 17 2008

The TERMINATOR:SALVATION Teaser Trailer is now available for viewing and download in QuickTime and Windows Media formats in our TERMINATOR:2018 Video Surveillance sector.

Watch and download the TERMINATOR:SALVATION Teaser Trailer

[ T4 BLOG UPDATE: FX GURU CHARLES GIBSON ] +JUL 11 2008

The official TERMINATOR:SALVATION website blog added an interview with Visual Effects Supervisor Charles Gibson, who discusses his job turning director McG's visions for the story onto the screen using the latest cutting-edge technology.   The award-winning veteran of the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN trilogy and THE RING speaks to the challenges of continually advancing the art of motion picture visual effects in a franchise which has always lead the charge:

McG's take is to weave science fiction elements into a state-of-the-art action film: The camera always moves, the imagery is raw and kinetic, the pace is insane. The creative challenge for me will be to bury the effects into the photography but to still protect our big visual moments.

Gibson adds hints on what is in store for TERMINATOR fans who will finally see this story told from the post-Judgment Day side of time:

We've been waiting to see this world for years -- it's only been glimpsed and hinted at in the previous Terminator movies. We're able to revisit the elements that have been established, but we're going to be adding a whole lot more..

Read the full blog entry and for more insights from the man realizing the dark future of TERMINATOR:SALVATION.

[ A TRIBUTE TO STAN WINSTON ] +JUN 16 2008

TERMINATOR and film fans everywhere are saddened by the passing of the veteran make-up and special effects artist Stan Winston, who died at his home Sunday after a seven-year battle with cancer.  In a career spanning over four decades, Winston conceived and created some of the most entertaining and mind-boggling creatures in cinema history, combining his make-up skills to practical animatronics to bring unprecedented realism to on-set special effect characters.

Stan Winston poses with his Terminator creations.  Photo courtesy of Stan Winston Studio.

Winston founded Stan Winston Studio in 1972 after completing an apprenticeship under Disney make-up legend Bob Schiffer.  He was also a protege of icon Dick Smith, who recommended Winston to producer Gale Anne Hurd for creating THE TERMINATOR lead character in the early 1980s.  Launching his career to ever-higher levels of artistic and technological innovation, Winston's work appeared in more than 75 feature films including the TERMINATOR and JURASSIC PARK franchises, plus his 1988 directorial debut PUMPKINHEAD.  Nominated for multiple awards, Stan Winston won four Academy Awards for make-up and special effects work, and received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2001.

Stan Winston's professional and personal legacy will continue to live on in film history and in the hearts of those who were privileged to know and work with him. For his invaluable contributions to the TERMINATOR films, culminating in TERMINATOR:SALVATION, FilmEdge.net offers thanks and sympathy to his family and friends on this sad loss.   

McG also pays his tribute to Stan Winston at the official T4 movie blog, praising his contributions to TERMINATOR:SALVATION and stating, "Stan was a good guy who was in it for all the right reasons."

[ McG BLOG UPDATE: ONE POSSIBLE FUTURE ] +JUN 03 2008

TERMINATOR:SALVATION director McG speaks directly to fans about his upcoming film in the latest movie blog update 'One Possible Future'.  After reporting on the location shoot difficulties, McG puts his larger story into franchise perspective:

This movie takes place several years after Judgment Day, but prior to 2029. Just like it took a long time to get an HD plasma screen in our world, it took Skynet a lot of research and development to get to the T-800, and this movie explores that "space between." We have all been fascinated with the world after Judgment Day. Here it is.

This description certainly fits into the 'origin story' trend sweeping genre films in the past and currently (BATMAN BEGINS, STAR TREK, X-MEN), but T4 has the unique asset of presenting a future origin of what we have seen and think we know about Judgment Day in the TERMINATOR franchise. How does John Connor become the leader of the human resistance fighters?  How does Skynet build its mechanized Terminator army programmed to exterminate our species?  And perhaps most dramatically, how does Connor reach that strategic tipping point in the war against Skynet? McG gives clues on what John Connor and the resistance is up against in this unexplored era of TERMINATOR mythology:

In this film, there are Hydrobots that patrol the water, Transports that move human prisoners around, Harvesters that collect human beings as lab rats for Skynet and Aerostats that survey all that is going on with the resistance the world over.

We've started shooting the T-600 - the bigger, grimier, nastier version that preceded the T-800.

Like Reese says, they're easier to spot but they pack a mini gun and carry kick ass fire power. They're eight-foot tall killers that prowl the badlands looking for anything with a heartbeat to terminate.

UPDATE: View concept art of the Hydrobot, Harvester, T-600 and more in our T:2018 Recon Image library, now online!

Read more about Stan Winston's creations for this new film and the fan controversy about TERMINATOR:SALVATION's reported PG-13 rating in McG's full blog entry.

[ CASTING CHANGES GIVE CONNOR NEW WIFE ] +JUN 03 2008

Word from Warner Brothers reveals a significant recasting in TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE FUTURE BEGINS as Bryce Dallas Howard is announced to replace Charlotte Gainsbourg in the role of John Connor's wife.  Citing a scheduling conflict for Gainsbourg and fears that an Actor's Guild Strike could delay shooting indefinitely, Howard will now take the role of Kate Connor, a character first appearing in TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES as Kate Brewster and originated by actress Claire Danes.

According to T3, Kate Brewster met young John Connor at a junior high makeout party the night before he helped break his mother Sarah Connor out of Pescadero State Hospital, as seen in TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY.  Their potential relationship was interrupted by events surrounding the arrival of the T-1000 which eventually forced John off the societal grid and into hiding with his mother.  Yet just as Judgment Day proved inevitable in T3, so did his relationship with Kate Brewster which also was rejoined with the arrival of the T-X Terminator and Schwarzenegger's reprisal as Connor's protective T-800, sent back in time by John's future wife Kate.   Of course, the irony built further as the T-800 sent back to protect John in 2003 was also John's own assassin, reprogrammed by Kate in an effor to avert the creation of Skynet and avert Judgment Day once again.

If nothing else, Kate's 'backstory' would imply that Howard's version of the character should play a significant role in both John Connor's life and the plot of TERMINATOR SALVATION.  Bryce Dallas Howard recently starred as Gwen Stacy in SPIDER-MAN 3 and played the enigmatic LADY IN THE WATER in M. Night Shyamalan's troubled film of 2006.

[ T4 WEBSITE BLOG: THE END BEGINS ] +MAY 23 2008

The official TERMINATOR SALVATION website drops into our timeline with an opening blog entry from director McG announcing the start on principal photography for TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE FUTURE BEGINS.  A fan of the series himself, McG delivers his own mission statement in conjunction with his veteran filmmaking partners:

We’ve officially started principal photography on Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins. Like you guys, I’ve been a long-time fan of the series and I understand your passion for the Terminator movies -- and it’s my full intention to deliver a film that lives up to the previous three installments. I’ve spent time with James Cameron, spoken to Arnold Schwarzenegger, gone over the story with Jonah Nolan, and enlisted Stan Winston.

Everything we’re shooting is designed to be tactile and real, you’ll be seeing a whole set of inspired designs you’ve never seen before, and best of all you’ll finally get to see some of the post-judgment day future that was only hinted at in the previous movies.

John Connor will be pushed to the brink. And for me, Christian Bale embodies Connor’s strength and tenacity perfectly. And after visiting Sam Worthington on the set of Avatar, I know he’s perfect for his role.

As you know, Anton Yelchin is playing Kyle Reese, and his prep has been unbelievable. The guy's been watching all three Terminators incessantly and he’s definitely going to capture the essence of the character Michael Biehn created in Cameron’s first film.

We started principal photography with a sequence at Griffith Observatory. I've already seen a cut of it -- Anton and Sam are excellent. I’ll have more on that soon, and can’t wait to share some of what we’re doing with you all. Stay tuned for more.

Interesting and fitting that 'the end' begins where THE TERMINATOR first begins, at Griffith Observatory, which echoes the sense of repeating-yet-changing destiny for the film series.  Beyond that, the main innovation in TERMINATOR SALVATION will be telling the tale after Judgment Day instead of leading up to it.  McG also seems quite interested in maintaining continuity in the franchise by at least meeting with James Cameron and Schwarzenegger to discuss his new chapter.  Promising signs!

Anton Yelchin will certainly have a busy year, taking on two iconic characters in 2009 sci-fi blockbusters: portraying a young Chekov in J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK as well as picking up the crucial TERMINATOR character of Kyle Reese.   Certainly the return of veteran effects wizard Stan Winston heralds more great Terminator characters and machines in this film.

Also included in this blog is a first look at TERMINATOR SALVATION concept art of a Hunter-Killer scanning the wild ruins of a destroyed city — view the full-size image in our T:2018 Recon Image library.