The fate of the next few "Terminator" films still hang in the balance since studios are playing a waiting game to see if it will be a worthy undertaking, since the robot action film underperformed in the box office.
"Terminator: Genisys" cost $155 million to produce, and tens of millions more to market, according to The Hollywood Reporter, but it only earned $80.6 million domestically and $200 million overseas as of July 19. It has now been deemed as a "bubble" movie - one that performed well, but not enough for it to drum up a sequel.
Other "bubble" movies included "Pacific Rim," "Godzilla," "Snow White and the Huntsman," and "Jack Reacher." Some of these movies, such as "Snow White and the Huntsman" and "Jack Reacher" managed to pass the test and are reportedly given sequels, but the others weren't so lucky.
"Sometimes you are left scratching your head," commented Rentrak box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "If a movie doesn't kill at the box office, why move ahead? Studios will build franchises sometimes without the blessing of the audience."
Before the movie was released, Skydance Productions exec David Ellison was very confident that it will do well in the box office and proudly proclaimed that the next two "Terminator" sequels will be shown sometime in 2017 and 2018.
But after the underwhelming box office performance, those behind the "Terminator" franchise are now singing a different tune.
"There is no question that the market was affected by reviews, which nicked early word of mouth," Paramount vice chair Rob Moore said. "We will definitely need to see the holds globally to confirm that people like the film."
It did not help that "Terminator" mainstay Arnold Schwarzenegger was the only big star of the film. The other main characters Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese were played by Emilia Clarke of "Game of Thrones" fame and Jai Courtney from "Divergent."
The movie, which was directed by Alan Taylor even decided to go on a different direction by making leader of the resistance John Connor (played by Jason Clarke) as the bad guy.
"If they are going to make another one, something has to change," noted MKM Partners analyst Eric Handler. "You either have to make a better film or make it cheaper. They tried to bring in elements of the first film, but it didn't work. It's going to be very difficult. They are going to have to cater to the international market."
