Speculation about the continuation of the Terminator franchise has been bouncing around the wires for several weeks now, with Arnold Schwarzenegger hinting that he might be ready to slip back into the leather jacket and sunglasses of the future’s most efficient killing machine. Now speculation can give way to fact, as pieces have dropped into place on major new Terminator news, and you’ll soon be able to drop into a theater seat and see a few new films in the franchise.  

Wait, did I say “a few” Terminator films? 
 
Here’s what we know about the state of the Terminator series, which is ready to rev up its engines for the first time since 2009’s Terminator: Salvation, directed by McG. 
 
1. The movie will open on June 26, 2015.
Because we don’t have enough major blockbusters opening in theaters in 2015 (he said sarcastically). While this new Terminator movie has the 6/26 weekend all to itself at the moment, summer 2015 already has saved spots for The Avengers 2 (5/1), Assassin’s Creed (6/19), Independence Day 2 (7/3), Pirates of the Caribbean 5 (7/10), Smurfs 3 (7/24) and Star Wars: Episode VII (TBA). It’s shaping up to be one of the most massive summers in recent memory. 
 
2. The movie will kick-start a trilogy.
In a press release, this new Terminator movie is described as “the first in a stand-alone trilogy.” The suggests that it will NOT have ties back to the existing Terminator movies, which might be a good thing. However… 
 
3. Arnold Schwarzenegger might not be in it.
Though it’s mentioned in the release that Schwarzenegger helped launch the Terminator franchise back in 1984 (31 years ago!), there’s no concrete mention that “the Governator” will be part of this new series. Given the fact that Arnold’s 65 – and turning 66 on July 30 – it might be crazy trying to build a new trilogy around him. I wouldn’t be surprised if Schwarzenegger makes a cameo, at best, in a trilogy that really tries to go in a different direction. 
 
4. So, who’s making this movie? 
A director has yet to be named, but the release states that Skydance Productions, Annapurna Pictures and Paramount Pictures will partner on this rebooted series. Megan Ellison of Annapurna and David Ellison of Skydance will coproduce. Dana Goldberg and Paul Schwake of Skydance will serve as executive producers. Laeta Kalorgridis (Avatar, Shutter Island) and Patrick Lussier (Drive Angry) are attached to write the screenplay.
 
5. This isn’t the only sequel on the horizon. 
In setting the stage for this new Terminator movie, the press release says that Ellison and Paramount are moving forward with a fifth Mission: Impossible movie, as well as a third G.I. Joe movie. 
 
It’s a franchise world, sequel-happy folks, so we hope you like multipart, effects-driven series, because that’s where Hollywood’s mind is at the moment.
 

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