.
.
This is one of those news stories that makes you wonder if any movie or TV franchise is sacred. Nikki Finke is reporting that at a recent auction for the TERMINATOR movie, TV program, and other spin-off rights ended unexpectedly. Both Sony and Lionsgate were bidding separately for the franchise, eventually joining up after the first round was completed. They’re plans were “a complete re-boot, back to basics, with real emotional stories. and effects that will be secondary.” But they didn’t win… instead, Halcyon Holding Corp took a $29.5 million bid from the debt holder which pushed it into bankruptcy – Santa Barbara based hedge fund Pacificor. Finke notes “This is the same Pacificor whom Halcyon accused in a lawsuit of extortion, bribery, and fraud and demanded $30 million in damages.”
Sony and Lionsgate dropped out of the auction at just under the $29.5 million when it became clear that Pacificor “was willing to pay almost any amount of money for TERMINATOR” an insider told Finke. Halcyon will receive $5 million for every TERMINATOR movie made from here forward, and retain all revenue from the third and fourth installments.
So what does this mean? Hard to say. Maybe the TERMINATOR films will get yet another reboot sooner than later, or perhaps Arnold Schwarzenegger will return for a very hefty check. Heck, maybe they could hand the reigns back to Jimmy Cameron for a spell, see what he can do with it. Why not? The last film, TERMINATOR SALVATION (by McG), was reportedly VERY expensive, and chances are the budget on the next film (or whatever the project may be) will be kept more modest. I just find it odd that a film franchise as big and important as this is no longer in control of a movie studio. When George Lucas dies, will his kids sell the STAR WARS franchise to 7-11? Could Donald Trump buy the James Bond franchise? IS NOTHING SACRED PEOPLE?!?!
Source: Nikki Finke
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
