Terminator Zeroproves the iconic franchise to which it belongs is just as popular as ever, and the animated show’s success proves the saga has been making the same mistake for decades. TheTerminator Zerocastbrings Netflix’s anime take on the legendary universe to life. The spinoff show adds a new quirk to theTerminatorviewing order, but at the same time,Terminator Zerocan be easily enjoyed without ever laying eyes on any other franchise installments.Netflix took a huge risk forZeroto achieve such a level of self-sufficiency, but it certainly paid off.
Terminatorcanon has become complicated since creator James Cameron stepped away after writing and directing the first two movies. Since 1991’sTerminator 2: Judgement Day,the series has struggled to meet the high expectations set by Cameronduring his time in charge. It’s tried various techniques to recapture the magic, and while some efforts have come close, nothing has replicated James Cameron’s formula. Interestingly,Terminator Zeroproves what mistakes have been made over and over again before now.
Is The Sarah Connor Chronicles Canon? How The Terminator TV Show Fits In The Franchise’s Timeline
There are often questions about whether The Sarah Connor Chronicles is canon, but the show does fit into one version of the Terminator timeline.
Terminator Zero Doesn’t Include John, Sarah, Or The T-800
The Netflix anime is missing the Terminator franchise’s golden trio
The famous trio of John Connor, Sarah Connor, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 made a brilliant group in the first two movies. All three characters have returned in some form or another since the first two movies, butTerminator Zerohas made a conscious effort to avoid their comeback. It may seem like a bold choice, especially given the fact the characters have long been at the heart of the franchise, but the move has done the show a huge service.
Whilethe existingTerminatormovies giveZeroa vibrant sandboxin which to play, the anime is simply a story told roughly in the same world. It doesn’t rely on existing characters and the feelings of nostalgia and familiarity they instill in an audience. Instead, the priority is on strong storytelling. Sure,Terminator Zeroincludes a huge timeline retcon, but it’s certainly not the first franchise installment to boast such an alteration.
Terminator Zero Is A Reminder Of The Terminator Movies’ Biggest Mistake
The Terminator movies should have moved on from Sarah Connor and company a long time ago
It’s completely understandable why theTerminatormovies continue to try and involve the most famous characters, but doing so has ultimately hurt the franchise at large. AlthoughThe Sarah Connor Chroniclesenjoyed some success, very few of the endless rewrites and tweaks to the timeline have been especially well-received.Terminator Zeroturning out so well without the presence of John, Sarah, or the story’s “main” T-800, should serve as a shining example of what can be achieved following a narrative overhaul.
It’s a shame it’s taken until 2024 for theTerminatorfranchise to realize it can move on from its iconic trio.
It’s a shame it’s taken until 2024 for theTerminatorfranchise to realize it can move on from its iconic trio.Zeroproves more thrilling stories from the world ofTerminatorcan be told away from the plotline that’s become so synonymous with the series. If something likeZerohad come along sooner, thenfans could enjoyed a much wider range ofTerminatorstoriesinstead of the many soft and hard reboots of the movies.
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Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
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Terminator: Dark Fate
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One of the joys of new additions to theTerminatoruniverse is that ifTerminator Zeroseason 2 happens, the story’s continuation won’t feel like the confusing mess the movies have become. A second season of the anime allowsZeroto continue on its own terms without having to tie itself in too strictly with events happening elsewhere within the fictional universe.
The Next Terminator Movie Should Have Nothing To Do With Previous Characters
Terminator 7 needs to follow Zero’s example
ATerminator7script is reportedly being written, and Cameron could even be involved. However, nothing has been officially greenlit yet. That being said, it’s hard to imagine a movie franchise likeThe Terminatorstaying dormant for long. If another sequel does materialize, it would do well to learn fromTerminator Zero’s example and focus simply on telling a new story in an established universe, rather than leaning on recognizable characters.Isolated stories within the world ofTerminatoris a compelling directionfor the franchise and one that hopefully continues.
Terminator Zero’s Ending Explained: Did They Stop Judgment Day?
Terminator Zero adds a new twist to Judgment Day, with Skynet now having to stop a different A.I. that could destroy it – but who wins in the end?
Alternatively, it might be good to see some of theTerminator Zerocharacters make the jump into live-action and make an appearance in the possible upcomingTerminator 7. Unfortunately, if that were to be well received, it’s easy to see a future where those characters then become the focal point, repeating the problem of the main three from the original movies. So, it might just be safer forTerminator Zeroto just remain as its own narrative, so the same mistakes aren’t repeated.
