Having tanked at the U.S. box office this past weekend, it is being reported by THR that Terminator: Dark Fate is looking at a loss in excess of $120 million, which will be spread out between production partners Skydance Media, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox (now Disney) and China’s Tencent.
You’re terminated, fucker.
With a $29 million opening weekend in the States, Dark Fate narrowly edged out the domestic opening Skydance and Paramount’s last attempt to revive the franchise Terminator: Genisys, although that film was ultimately saved from box office disaster by its international takings, including $100 million from China. Dark Fate only managed a $28 million opening in the Middle Kingdom and is expected to fizzle out quickly.
Given the film’s $185 million budget (not including marketing), Hollywood analysts are now predicting the end for the Terminator franchise on the big screen, with Salvation, Genisys and now Dark Fate all failing to successfully relaunch the series. THR quotes box office analysts as describing the poor opening as “a reflection of complete IP failure”, and suggests that executives at Skydance and Paramount are also in agreement with that assessment.
SEE ALSO: James Cameron discusses his “bloody creative battles” with Tim Miller on Terminator: Dark Fate
Do you think there’s any life left in the Terminator franchise? Could it perhaps succeed with another television show? Or is it time the property was left to rest? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet us @FlickeringMyth…
Terminator: Dark Fate is directed by Tim Miller (Deadpool), with James Cameron producing, and sees Arnold Schwarzenegger (T-800) and Linda Hamilton (Sarah Connor) reprising their roles alongside new cast additions Mackenzie Davis (Blade Runner 2049), Natalia Reyes (Lady), Diego Boneta (Pretty Little Liars) and Gabriel Luna (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.).
