The Terminator movies rank among the most extraordinary sci-fi franchises ever created. It features all the essential elements: killer robots, a world-dominating AI, time travel, action, blood, and thrilling chase scenes. The only drawback is that it debuted so long ago that the original actors are ageing and can’t sustain the series indefinitely. Does anyone else think that a reboot of The Terminator franchise with The Rock would be totally awesome?
A Terminator Franchise Reboot
AI has become a magnificent tool for bringing concepts to life and seeing what an idea would look like if it were made a reality. For example, Paul Chadwick, a massive sci-fi nerd and digital artist, was playing around with the AI art generator Midjourney and created a concept to show us what Terminator would look like if James Cameron’s franchise was rebooted with The Rock as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson As The Terminator – T-800
In the original film, everyone’s favourite action star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, portrays the badass machine that was initially sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor. Then, in the film’s sequel, the machine is sent to protect her and her son, John Connor. It would make sense that the only person who could replace an action icon is another action icon, which is why Paul Chadwick has designed Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the role.
To be honest, The Rock (who is currently rumoured to be playing the MCU’s Apocalypse) looks like he was born for the role, and it would make complete sense that he would take over from Schwarzenegger in a reboot. Just look at his physical presence (in terms of his height and muscular build), towering over nearly every other cast member. He could be both imposing and intimidating as a powerful Terminator. Johnson also has a proven track record as an action star. And yes, we know that Black Adam was a huge stumble, but his roles in blockbuster franchises like Fast & Furious and Jumanji prove that he could take on the intense physical demands of the role.
Keanu Reeves As Kyle Reese
In the first film, The Terminator (1984), actor Michael Beihn appears as a rebel from the future who has travelled back in time to protect Sarah Connor from the T-800 that has been sent to kill her. Unfortunately, because of time travel, this is the only time he appears as an adult. Still, he is a handsome action star who ultimately steals Sarah Connor’s heart.
Paul Chadwick has designed Hollywood’s sweetheart, Keanu Reeves, in the role of Kyle Reese. However, it seems to be a younger version of Reeves. Either way, he would actually be a fitting pick for the role.
Jennifer Lawrence As Sarah Connor
Most famously played by Linda Hamilton in The Terminator (1984) and later played by Emilia Clarke in Terminator Genisys (2015), Sarah Connor has always been a badass, although she was misunderstood, and everyone thought she was crazy.
Chadwick has decided that Jennifer Lawrence would be a perfect actress for the role. Because technology has advanced to the point that it has, it would be possible to remake several movies with her manning the part of the protective mama. While we haven’t seen Lawrence in many action roles outside of The Hunger Games, this one seems fitting.
Tom Hiddleston As The T-1000
Introduced in Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), the T-1000, portrayed by Robert Patrick, was strong but sleek in comparison to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800. Chadwick envisioned Tom Hiddleston for the role, and he fits perfectly. While Hiddleston might exhibit too much humanity in his eyes to play a soulless Terminator, his exceptional acting skills would undoubtedly enable him to pull it off.
John Connor
Over the years, many actors have portrayed John Connor, including Edward Furlong as the young John Connor and Michael Edwards as the older John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), Nick Stahl in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), and Christian Bale in Terminator Salvation (2009). However, Chadwick believes that the ideal actor to bring John Connor to life is one of Hollywood’s favourite rising stars, Tom Holland. Known for his role as Spider-Man, Holland has extensive experience in action roles, making him a great choice for the part.
The Terminator franchise has had a lot of hits and misses throughout the years. It would be the perfect franchise to reboot, especially now that technology has advanced to a point where AI has become a real threat, and CGI has become more realistic. That being said, the special effects of the originals were still some of the best for its time.
According to reports from 2013, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was rumoured to be up for a role in The Terminator 5. That didn’t seem to happen. But at the time, the script for Terminator 5 was reportedly in development, with Examiner.com and Metro.co.uk revealing that one version of the screenplay – expected to be a prequel set during the lifetime of Sarah Connor’s parents in the 1940s or 1950s – was being crafted specifically for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Perhaps the studio will bring him back after all these years to play the sinister machine. We wait and see.
Would you watch a reboot of The Terminator franchise starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? Of course, fans also believe that The Rock is the only hope for the RoboCop franchise, too.
