The Many Deaths of The Terminator

Abstract

This chapter looks at the reasons why The Terminator has consistently frustrated attempts by different media conglomerates to turn it into a stable transmedia franchise in the twenty-first century. Joyce argues that there are five main reasons, spread across production, text, and reception. First, The Terminator is plagued by an unstable rights regime with control of the IP continually changing hands to creators with different visions. Second, the Terminator canon has contradictory storyworld rules, which hinder attempts at storyworld expansion. Third, the franchise has not made the best use of ancillary media. Fourth, the franchise guardians, James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger, have overshadowed the franchise. Fifth, creators have handled fan relations poorly, leading to fan frustration and franchise fatigue.