After directing iconic films like “Alien,” “Blade Runner” and “Gladiator,” Ridley Scott revealed that he nearly stepped into the world of “Terminator.”
The prolific filmmaker told The Guardian that he turned down $20 million to direct 2003’s “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, because “it’s not my thing.”
“I’m proud about this,” Scott said to the Guardian. “I turned down a $20 million 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: ‘Fuck me.’ But I couldn’t do it.”
Scott explained the reason he couldn’t sign on for the “Terminator” sequel is the same reason he wouldn’t direct a James Bond movie.
“It’s not my thing,” he said. “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 fuck it up.”
Jonathan Mostow ended up directing “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” which made $433 million at the worldwide box office, but it didn’t reach the critical heights of the first two entries helmed by James Cameron. It was followed up by 2009’s “Terminator Salvation,” 2015’s reboot “Terminator Genisys” and 2019’s “Terminator: Dark Fate,” which was a direct sequel to “Terminator 2: Judgement Day.”
Elsewhere in the Guardian interview, Scott teased that he’s working on a third “Gladiator” movie in the wake of last year’s hit “Gladiator II,” starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington. Scott also said he’d be open to another “Alien” movie.
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“‘Gladiator’ is in process right now,” the director said. “Another ‘Alien’ prequel – yeah, if I get an idea, for sure.”
From Variety US