Joss wants to buy the Terminator franchise

This is from his official website:

Dear Sirs/Ma’ams,

I am Joss Whedon, the mastermind behind Titan A.E., Parenthood (not the movie) (or the new series) (or the one where ‘hood’ was capitalized 'cause it was a pun), and myriad other legendary tales. I have heard through the ‘grapevine’ that the Terminator franchise is for sale, and I am prepared to make a pre-emptive bid RIGHT NOW to wrap this dealio up. This is not a joke, this is not a scam, this is not available on TV. I will write a check TODAY for $10,000, and viola! Terminator off your hands.

No, you didn’t miscount. That’s four – FOUR! – zeroes after that one. That’s to show you I mean business. And I mean show business. Nikki Finke says the Terminator concept is played. Well, here’s what I have to say to Nikki Finke: you are a fine journalist and please don’t ever notice me. The Terminator story is as formative and important in our culture – and my pretend play – as any I can think of. It’s far from over. And before you Terminator-Owners (I have trouble remembering names) rush to cash that sweet cheque, let me give you a taste of what I could do with that franchise:

  1. Terminator… of the Rings! Yeah, what if he time-travelled TOO far… back to when there was dragons and wizards? (I think it was the Dark Ages.) Hasta La Vista, Boramir! Cool, huh? “Now you gonna be Gandalf the Red!” RRRRIP! But then he totally helps, because he’s a cyborg and he doesn’t give a s#&% about the ring – it has no power over him! And he can carry it AND Frodo AND Sam AND f@%& up some orcs while he’s doing it. This stuff just comes to me. I mean it. (I will also offer $10,000 for the Lord of the Rings franchise).

  2. More Glau. Hey. There’s a reason they’re called “Summer” movies.

  3. Can you say… musical? Well don’t. Even I know that’s an awful idea.

  4. Christian Bale’s John Connor will get a throat lozenge. This will also help his Batwork (ten grand for that franchise too, btw.)

  5. More porn. John Connor never told Kyle Reese this, but his main objective in going to the past was to get some. What if there’s a lot of future-babies that have to be made? Cue wah-wah pedal guitar – and dollar signs!

  6. The movies will stop getting less cool.

Okay. There’s more – this brain don’t quit! (though it has occasionally been fired) – but I think you get my drift. I really believe the Terminator franchise has only begun to plumb the depths of questioning the human condition during awesome stunts, and I’d like to shepherd it through the next phase. The money is there, but more importantly, the heart is there. But more importantly, money. Think about it. End this bloody bidding war before it begins, and put the Terminator in the hands of someone who watched the first one more than any other movie in college, including “Song of Norway” (no current franchise offer). Sincerely, Joss Whedon.

I know he’s not serious, but this was just too funny not to post.

I don’t know. I’m totally getting a Stomp vibe here. It could work.

If only they could give this franchise to someone with some sense in their heads. To any bigwigs reading this: I AM AVAILABLE.

totally… though this should have been point number 1.

very tongue in cheek but seriously just give it back to the TSCC folks; they were doing it right

And put them on a network other than Fox.

nice article about joss’s letter… also got his comments on the press its gotten

what made me smile is this

“It’s all ridiculous, but it comes from love,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I love The Terminator. That part’s totally true. I loved the mythology. I loved the TV show - like, really loved. Not for pretend.”

and thats why he or someone like him should have the franchise cause they see it as something other than a way to make millions upon millions of dollars… and will most likely do it right

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2009/nov/06/terminator-firefly-joss-whedon

joss buying the movie rights would be awesome maybe he could put more heart in it un like t3 which made no sense

I read it all, but this is all I saw.

well, if either Joss or a GWCer gets ownership of the franchise, I’ll be sending my tape in to be the next Sarah Connor. I could slim down a little more and bulk up a little more and be the ass-kickingest heroine since Linda Hamilton.

If this ever happened I’d be the happiest little girl in all of Australia.

I love Joss.

I love Terminator.

What a combination!

pretty sure it’ll never happen unless Avengers hits huge and Joss can write his own ticket afterwards. which is not the greatest of odds.

still he has my support and money, hell i’ll be there twice. but if avengers is to hit huge; captain american and Thor have to do really well, if either fails at best joss can do is redeem the past movies.

Indeed. One can dream :slight_smile:

right there with you; besides my Favorite odds are long odds… :slight_smile:

I believe Joss is creative and talented but I don’t like him for this. My favorite Terminator concept was the repeat history until we get it right concept (what with a show and a movie walking on each other, but both being pretty true to form). I can’t describe it, I just don’t. Am I alone?

I love Joss and crew, but the movies wouldn’t be a good fit, I don’t think. THAT SAID, imagine what they coulda done with the TV show.

Fox would have cancelled it after one season instead of two???