James Cameron has revealed the working title currently being used by production on the upcoming and highly-anticipated Terminator 6. Although it will be the sixth installment of the apocalyptic franchise, the new film will be taking the saga back to the roots first cultivated by Cameron. Wiping such underwhelming sequels as Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Terminator Genisys from the continuity, Terminator 6 will be a direct and belated follow-up to Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

Although many fans believe Terminator 2 to have featured the perfect ending - rendering subsequent sequels unnecessary - the return of Cameron as executive producer served to assuage some concerns. That feeling would turn to almost outright excitement when it was announced that both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton would return to reprise their iconic roles. With Tim Miller (Deadpool) assuming directorial duties, the stars were soon joined by Natalia Reyes, Gabriel Luna (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), and Mackenzie Davis (Black Mirror) as they fight to either prevent or bring about a ravaged and dystopian future.

Darkness has always been a theme running throughout the Terminator franchise, especially in the original two films. Speaking to Yahoo, however, Cameron revealed that the production team has taken that to a very literal place when it comes to their working title. Despite tending to be "optimistic about people and our capacity to solve problems" the Oscar-winning director announced: “We’re calling it, Terminator: Dark Fate. That’s our working title right now.” Being merely a working title, it could ultimately change before the film's release. Regardless, it's certainly ominous enough to get fans intrigued and speculating.


Plot details on Terminator 6 are being kept largely under wraps, but it has been revealed that the new movie takes place in Mexico City and centers on Reyes’ Dani Ramos as she finds herself being hunted by Luna’s Terminator. Davis plays a character named Grace, described as a soldier-assassin who may herself be a cyborg sent from the future. How Hamilton's Sarah Connor will once again be drawn into proceedings remains to be seen, but Cameron also revealed that fans will get to see "what time and dealing with these tragic futures has done to her" and that her "passing the baton to the new characters that come in" will be a big part of what will be a very "female-centric" movie.

Sarah Conner, having become hardened following the events of The Terminator, was last seen seemingly preventing the eponymous Judgement Day back in Terminator 2. Based on Cameron's comments - and the elements he brought to the table that Miller was more than happy to embrace and pursue - it would appear that things didn't turn out quite so simply. Cameron's use of the word "futures" could be very telling. In preventing the previously established future, did Sarah inadvertently help usher in a different and potentially even darker one?

Conspicuously absent is once again any mention of Sarah's son, John Connor. Once believed to be the future savior of mankind, it would appear that whatever present (and future) that is now set to unfold may no longer include him. However, it's arguable that the Terminator franchise has always been the story of Sarah Connor. As such, the loss of John could be not only why Sarah is reportedly even harder in the new film but also why fate looks especially dark. Without John, it'll be up to her to usher in humanity's last, great hope in a whole new way. Whatever the case, fans will find out soon enough when Terminator: Dark Fate hits theaters.


Key Release Dates:

  • Terminator 6 (2019) release date: Nov 01, 2019