Movie Biz: One More Time for "The Terminator"

-The Motley Fool

"He'll be backk!"

Viacom, and its Paramount Pictures division are resurrecting the Terminator franchise for another go on the big screen. The company has tried, and failed, to bring the famous time-traveling, science-fiction series back to prominence before, but it's taking a different approach with the new installment that could pay off in a big way.

With its media networks facing a challenging outlook and its movie business in need of hits, the new Terminator film looks to be one of Viacom's most important entertainment productions.

FROM TERMINATOR GENISYS IN 2015. IMAGE SOURCE: VIACOM.

Will Terminator's fate be different this time?

Viacom and Paramount have made two previous attempts to revive the property within the last decade, with 2009's Terminator Salvation and 2015's Terminator Genisys both initially intended to be trilogy launchers. Disappointing ticket sales derailed those plans, but there are reasons to think that the broader property is still viable and that Viacom has a potential hit on its hands with the upcoming Terminator film. 

Despite poor receptions for its last two entries, the franchise still has name recognition and cultural clout, and early details on the new project are promising. More so than any other take on the series since the early 1990s, the upcoming Terminator picture appears to be in good hands.  

The picture will be directed by Tim Miller, most known for helming Fox's superhero blockbuster Deadpool, and produced by series creator and box-office titan James Cameron. Franchise stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton are also returning for the still-untitled Terminator film, rounding out an impressive production pedigree that signals the potential for a real hit. Adding to the franchise's notoriously complex timeline, the project will be a soft reboot that ignores the events of the last three entries and acts as a direct follow-up to 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day. 

IMAGE SOURCE: VIACOM. 

Terminator 2 still stands as one of the most successful R-rated films ever, and bringing back many of its principle players for a direct sequel is a smart way to get the series back on track. Cameron is reportedly planning the upcoming Terminator film as the start of a new trilogy, so Viacom could enjoy the long-term benefits of a resurgent franchise if the first movie lands well.

Terminator could spearhead Paramount's comeback

In Viacom's most recent earnings call, CEO Robert Bakish pointed to big-brand films as the key to turning the company's film wing around. That's a sensible statement, but it also highlights challenges facing Paramount. Compared to rivals Disney and Time Warner, Viacom is a company that's short on marketable properties. That's a major setback in today's franchise-dependent box-office climate.