New & Old Characters for 'T4'
Plot details and character hints about Terminator Salvation--and the Governator may cameo.
As reported last weekend, The Dark Knight star Christian Bale has all but signed on the line to head up Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins, part 1 of a new trilogy, to be directed by McG (Charlie's Angels). Bale will play John Connor, leader of the war against the human-hunting machines.
The character of Kate Brewster will return to do battle, as well. But Clare Danes, who played Brewster opposite Nick Stahl as Connor in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, has stated previously that her involvement with James Cameron's mythology was a one-off.
According to Bloody Disgusting's new T4 synopsis, 30-something John Connor and fiancee Kate Brewster "realize they must create a resistance organization with Earth's remaining survivors against the army of robots slowly being built up by Skynet. As they are building this resistance, one survivor happens to be a traitor in disguise, and has a secret that nobody would ever come to suspect."
Entertainment Weekly's MISSY SCHWARTZ hit up producers Derek Anderson, Victor Kubicek and Moritz Borman for details on the major players of this epic project.
Regarding recent speculation that Bale might play the terminator, or even a new character, Anderson said, "Where that came from, we're not really sure. But he was always being considered for Connor."
But why Bale?
"Well, he's a brilliant actor, clearly," said Anderson. "He can be that physical active guy that also has a lot of heart. The audience needs to empathize with him. There's probably not any better actor for that role."
But while the producers were adamant that Connor is the central character of the trilogy, they did admit that Bale would be sharing (at least) the first film with "another major co-star," who would be "a completely new character." They were miserly--and enigmatic--with details beyond that.
So, the next big question: will franchise anchorman Arnold Schwarzenegger be back?
"It still hasn't been determined," said Anderson, "but if he does, it would be a very small cameo."
According to the producers, T4 is set to begin shooting in either Australia or Budapest on March 15, with a budget "north of $150 million."
[Thanks to Moviehole's CLINT MORRIS for additional material and links.]