4th ‘Terminator’ film slated for May 2009

‘Future Begins,’ starring Christian Bale, expected to be first in new trilogy

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Actor Christian Bale will play John Connor in "Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins," which is slated for a May 2009 release.

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Hollywood Reporter

updated 3:53 p.m. ET March 3, 2008

LOS ANGELES - The fourth movie in the ”Terminator” franchise will reach North American theaters on May 22, 2009, coinciding with the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend, distributor Warner Bros. said.

Christian Bale will star as rebel leader John Connor in “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins,” which is scheduled to begin production in the spring in New Mexico.

“Charlie’s Angels” filmmaker McG will direct the movie, which is expected to be the first in a new “Terminator” trilogy.

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The series, which originated in 1984 and made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star, centered on a robot from the future where machines wage war against humanity, whose goal was to kill Sarah Connor, the mother of the future leader of the human resistance. As the movies progressed, the son, played by Edward Furlong in 1991’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” and Nick Stahl in 2003’s “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” took a more prominent role.

Sony Pictures will handle international distribution. Warner Bros. and Sony had a similar arrangement for “Terminator 3,” which grossed $433 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.