Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is the highly anticipated third installment in one of Hollywood’s most innovative and celebrated franchises, originated by writer-director James Cameron with the 1984 cult hit The Terminator. With the blockbuster 1991 sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Cameron redefined the science fiction/action film hybrid and, together with Arnold Schwarzenegger, established one of the most renowned, beloved characters in cinema history.
"No matter where I go in the world," Schwarzenegger says, "no matter what movie I have promoted over the last twelve years, people always ask me, ‘When are you going to do another Terminator? You’ve got to do another Terminator. Please, Arnold, do another Terminator.’"
"The Terminator has become an icon," observes producer Mario F. Kassar. "The character has this quality about him that makes you want to see him more. You want him to win. You want him to survive."
"The Terminator is perhaps the most famous character in the history of motion pictures," suggests Terminator 3 director Jonathan Mostow. "Arnold’s characterization and the look of the Terminator are so iconic – the black leather jacket, the boots, the sunglasses. I don’t know any other movie character that you can go anywhere in the world and ask somebody, ‘What’s this character’s wardrobe?’ People can’t tell you. But they know the Terminator’s."
Embraced by audiences worldwide, the Terminator franchise grossed over a then-staggering $550 million in worldwide theatrical box office receipts, became a phenomenon on VHS and DVD formats, and has even inspired attractions at Universal Studios’ theme parks in Hollywood, Florida and Japan. "The Terminator is such a great character that it has lasted for the last twelve years without a Terminator movie being made," notes producer Andrew G. Vajna. "He left such a positive impression on audiences that the people themselves kept the franchise alive."
"What’s terrific about Arnold is that he has celebrated the success and the appeal of the character with the same enthusiasm that the audience has," Mostow says. "And audiences sense the fun and enthusiasm that he has playing the Terminator."
"It is a great honor and a great pleasure to be involved in a franchise that has such a universal appeal," Schwarzenegger says. "The story can be understood by anyone, no matter what nation or cultural background you’re from. With the way technology has been advancing over the last few years, everyone understands the fear that one day machines will take over and the reality that they can be smarter, stronger and ultimately replace human beings."
Vajna believes the Terminator premise – in which artificially intelligent machines become self-aware and wage war on humanity – is more relevant and provocative to audiences today than ever before. "We’re all depending more and more on computers for everything from running our electricity to our automobiles. The more we entrust machines to do everything, the greater chance we have of losing control. What happens if they start thinking? What happens they if they turn on us? This scenario, combined with people’s fascination with the concepts of time travel and altering the future, is truly frightening and endlessly entertaining."
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