SPOILER ALERT: This article discusses a plot twist from ‘Terminator Genisys,’ which may have already been spoiled by ads, but if you want to avoid ALL spoilers, you may want to proceed with caution!
You think YOU hate spoilers? Imagine being the director of a $170 million sci fi spectacular, relaunching an iconic franchise, starring the still strong enough to kick your ass Arnold Schwarzenegger… and then having a crucial plot point from the film spoiled by the very tools intended to sell it to audiences! Well, that’s how you can imagine Alan Taylor feels.
The director took on the daunting chore of reviving the groundbreaking ‘Terminator’ concept for the 21st century. There have already been four prior movies, spanning from 1984-2009, as well as a spinoff TV series. Obviously, Taylor and his collaborators had their work cut out for them to stay true to the spirit of the existing films but freshen things up, which is what they believe they accomplished with ‘Terminator: Genisys.’
Taylor and company came up with what he thought was a bold twist, only to see what should have been a shocking moment for film-goers splashed across posters and trailers!
Here is an edited quote from the director, with references to the spoiler omitted:
“I certainly directed those scenes with the intention that no one would know. One of my favorite moments – and I think [one of the actors] did a great job with it – is when [the actor] walks into the hospital in 2017 and everything from there until the turn, you’re supposed to think, Oh man, this is great.”
If you don’t mind being spoiled, continue below. Otherwise, turn away!
Now, here is the same quote, unfiltered:
“I certainly directed those scenes with the intention that no one would know. One of my favorite moments – and I think Jason Clarke did a great job with it – is when he walks into the hospital in 2017 and everything from there until the turn, you’re supposed to think, Oh man, this is great.”
Yes, the marketing for ‘Terminator Genisys’ centers on the grown up John Conner, played by Jason Clarke and gives away that he is a type of Terminator. John Conner is the leader of the human resistance against the machines, so this is a huge curve-ball. At least it was supposed to be.
Taylor insists he fought the studio on the reveal, saying “I had a few heads ups and a few unpleasant conversations where I squawked about this or that.” Ultimately, it was Taylor’s job to make the movie and Paramount’s job to sell it… however they saw fit.
Taylor acknowledges that this film wasn’t necessarily a guaranteed hit and that as such, the marketing team had to do what they had to in order to attempt to lure customers away from reigning hits ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘Inside Out’ as well as another movie opening on July 1, that also features a lot of action (of a different sort) with ripped, muscular men, ‘Magic Mike XXL.’
The director states:
“I know there was kind of a challenging calculus going on in the heads of those who market this thing to decide that this was the right thing to do. I think they felt like they had to send a strong message to a very wary audience that there was something new, that this was going to new territory. They were concerned that people were misperceiving this as kind of a reboot, and none of us wanted to reboot two perfect movies by James Cameron. I think they felt they had to do something game-changing in how the film was being perceived.”
If you’ve seen the trailer and/or poster for ‘Terminator: Genisys,’ what did you think? Did they give away too much? Should they have kept this twist a secret until audiences saw the full movie? Or does this make you want to see it more, knowing that this is not just a rehash of what’s come before?
Source: Slash Film