New Terminator Movie Takes Aim at a PG-13 Rating - Movie News

Christian Bale by Alexandra Wyman/ WireImage.com

Terminators may be deadly, nigh-unstoppable machines, but that doesn't mean they can't be toned down.

According to Variety, the fourth film in theTerminator franchise, currently titled Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins and set to begin production today, will be shooting for a PG-13 rating. Although the three previous Terminator films grossed more than $1.03 billion worldwide with an R rating, producers are hoping to replicate the recent box-office success of the PG-13 Live Free or Die Hard, which became the highest-grossing film in the previously R-rated Die Hard series.

Producers are hoping to appeal to the younger audiences (and their wallets) at the toy stores as well, saying the kid-friendly rating will increase deals for action figures as part of a merchandising program that "will be the largest to date for The Terminator." The Christian Bale-fronted flick is currently scheduled for release on May 22, 2009.

Do you think the movie will suffer because of the rating? — Adam Bryant

Leave a Comment

TVGuide Links:

Posted by

The Movie News Team

May 5, 2008 12:53 PM

Report Abuse

Thus begins a new trend: Studios make a toned-down, more friendly version of a movie (especially if it's part of a well-known franchise) for theatrical release, rake in more dough, then later for DVD they can include the harsher scenes/lines to bulk it up to an "R" (or "unrated" version, ala using the adult-language version of McClane's trademark "Yipee-Ki-Yay" line in the latest Die Hard flick on DVD). Now that I think of it, they've been doing this for some time now already, but I think we'll see a lot more of it now.

Posted by Prof. Horatio Hufnagal

May 6, 2008 7:00 AM

Report Abuse

Not necessarily thrilled about it, but I think with the Terminator it *can* work. Losing some of the blood and guts doesn't detract from the theme of Terminator nearly as much as it does others like Alien/Predator (although AvP have proven that no guts, no gore, and/or bad story=fail for these type of films). I do wish they ease up with watering down all these franchises to make them more kid-friendly...but there's more money to be made there so that's what they will continue trying to do. Expanding their profit margin is more important than satisfying the fans that made the originals a succes.

Posted by ikmartin

May 6, 2008 9:13 AM

Report Abuse

Christian Bale's going to be in Terminator? Sign me up! Though, I STILL have to see the first three, and SCC.
Posted by anakinjmt May 6, 2008 9:15 AM Report Abuse

Since they are showing a "Terminator" show on TV and it isn't suffering from a lack of blood and guts, I don't have a problem with this. I think that Christian Bale will make an interesting addition to the cast!
Posted by maria May 6, 2008 9:43 AM Report Abuse

I watched Crank with my husband last weekend. The DVD had an alternate "family-friendly" option to edit the swearing. The inanity of taking out the "bad" words on a movie that has drug-use, nudity, an over-the-top sex scene, and lots of violence (not to mention someone has a severe case a hand rage!) is just ludicrous. I have to say the movie was silly as can be, but I was rolling.
Posted by felinefan55 May 6, 2008 9:50 PM Report Abuse

In This Section

TV Guide Spotlight

Also on TVGuide.com

Christian Bale's Terminator Targets a PG-13