Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Iconic $1.4 Billion Movie Franchise Set to Launch Anime Adaptation Featuring Star Wars Actor Timothy Olyphant

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the legendary bodybuilder turned Hollywood star, has left an indelible mark on bodybuilding and showbiz. His iconic role as the Terminator propelled him to international fame, and now, this beloved franchise is taking a bold new step. Arnie, often referred to as the Terminator, a role that changed his career, will now be voiced by the Star Wars fame Timothy Olyphant.

Netflix, recently announced at their “Next on Netflix: Animation” event in Los Angeles that Timothy Olyphant will lend his voice to the iconic Terminator. The Terminator series is set to premiere on August 29, 2024, coincidentally, the series will premiere on the same date as Judgment Day. Called “Terminator Zero,” the series promises to bring fresh energy to the franchise as per the creators.

The anime series produced by Skydance and the renowned anime studio Production I.G., with Mattson Tomlin as the showrunner, is poised to captivate both old fans and new viewers alike. According to those behind the scenes, the storyline swings between the human-machine war in 2022 and the critical year of 1997 when Skynet became self-aware.

The plot centers on a soldier sent back in time to protect scientist Malcolm Lee, whose AI project poses a significant threat to Skynet. This mission, however, leads to deadly repercussions for Malcolm’s family. Mattson Tomlin, celebrated for his daring writing style, aims to turn expectations on their head with this new series.

This new anime promises to be a thrilling continuation of the Terminator saga. As excitement builds for the new series, let’s look at the origin of the Terminator and Schwarzenegger’s point of view about the franchise.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is done with the Terminator franchise!

After clinching his sixth Mr. Olympia title, Schwarzenegger ventured into movies, starring in “Conan the Barbarian.” His breakthrough came with “The Terminator” in 1984, launching a billion-dollar franchise. In the original, he played the killer cyborg sent to terminate Sarah Connor, and in the 1991 sequel, he returns as her protector.

Despite releasing in the ’80s, the Terminator frenzy never waned. In 2022, while promoting his Netflix series FUBAR, during an interview, Schwarzenegger addressed the franchise’s status, saying, “The franchise is not done. I’m done.” He emphasized the need for fresh ideas, acknowledging the world’s desire for something new. Reflecting on his success, he fondly remembered the first three films but felt the fourth, “Salvation,” and the following ones, “Genisys” and “Dark Fate,” lacked the spark. He concluded that they weren’t well written, indicating the importance of strong storytelling for future installments.

Do you think the makers might have listened to Schwarzenegger before creating the anime series? Only time will tell if the series will make its mark. Let us know what you think of the glimpses of The Terminator Zero.