Terminator 3: Ridley Scott explains why he refused to direct the Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi film 

A still from Terminator 3 | Image via Flashback FM
A still from Terminator 3 | Image via Flashback FM

Terminator 3 is the third entry in the franchise and a sequel to Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The movie was directed by Jonathan Mostow and released in theaters on July 2, 2003.

It starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kristanna Loken, Claire Danes, and Nick Stahl in key roles. Rise of the Machines was the first film in the series made without director James Cameron, who had directed the previous two installments.

Earlier, Ridley Scott was supposed to helm the project, but he turned down the offer. Scott recently spilled the tea on the matter.


Ridley Scott reveals why he didn't direct Terminator 3

Ridley Scott recently spoke to The Guardian and revealed why he didn't direct Terminator 3: Rise of the Machine:

“I’m proud about this. I turned down a $20M fee. See, I can’t be bought, dude. Someone said: ‘Ask what Arnie gets.’ I thought: ‘I’ll try it out.’ I said: ‘I want what Arnie gets.’ When they said yes, I thought: ‘F*ck me.’ But I couldn’t do it. It’s not my thing.”

He further compared Terminator 3 to the Bond franchise and said that Terminator is like a comic strip.

“It’s like doing a Bond movie. The essence of a Bond movie is fun and camp. Terminator is pure comic strip. I would try to make it real. That’s why they’ve never asked me to do a Bond movie, because I could f*ck it up.”

The third installment was produced by Joel B. Michaels, Hal Lieberman, Colin Wilson, Andrew G. Vajna, and Mario Kassar. The story was written by John Brancato, Michael Ferris, and Tedi Sarafian; Brancato and Ferris also wrote the screenplay. Its cast members include:

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator
  • Nick Stahl as John Connor
  • Kristanna Loken as the T-X
  • Claire Danes as Kate Brewster
  • David Andrews as Lieutenant General Robert Brewster
  • Mark Famiglietti as Scott Mason
  • Earl Boen as Dr. Peter Silberman

Terminator 3 had its world premiere at the Mann Village Theater in Los Angeles before being released theatrically on July 2, 2003. It ultimately grossed $433.4 million and became a commercial success. The film's sequel, titled Terminator Salvation, was released in 2009.

Since then, the franchise has seen entries like 2015's Terminator Genisys, 2019's Terminator: Dark Fate, and a 2024 Netflix animated series, Terminator Zero.


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Edited by Yesha Srivastava