Arnold Puts New Terminator Project On Hold

Arnold Schwarzenegger had been shopping around a new entry in the Terminator series, with Fast Five‘s Justin Lin directing. After multiple studios bid on the project, Annapurna Pictures' Megan Ellison won the rights to the franchise, with plans to develop a new set of films. However, all Arnold Schwarzenegger projects are now on hold, due to the recent revelation that he had fathered a child with another woman. The following statement has been issued:

"At the request of Arnold Schwarzenegger, we asked Creative Artists Agency to inform all his motion picture projects currently underway or being negotiated to stop planning until further notice.... Gov. Schwarzenegger is focusing on personal matters and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or timelines. This includes Cry Macho, the Terminator franchise and other projects under consideration. We will resume discussions when Gov. Schwarzenegger decides."

The problem with putting the Terminator project on hold is that there is a copyright timing issue involved here. The rights will go back to James Cameron in 2018, so Megan Ellison is going to want to produce as many Terminator pictures as possible before that then instead of having to lose the rights or strike a new deal with James Cameron. We wonder if they will consider moving forward without Arnold if he takes too long to resume his current slate of projects.