Netflix is developing an anime series based on the Terminator franchise. Variety first broke the news of the project, which has some pretty impressive names attached. Firstly, the streamer is partnering with Skydance. The studio also produced the last two movies in the franchise: 2015’s Terminator Genisys and 2019’s Terminator: Dark Fate. Also producing the series is Production I.G, which has churned out many popular anime films and shows over the years. These include the Ghost in the Shell movies and shows, Eden of the East, and Guilty Crown. Netflix has had a production line deal with Production I.G since 2018. Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, President and CEO of Production I.G, was practically bursting with excitement at the news.
I asked my long-time friend and colleague Mamoru Oshii what he thought about the idea of turning the ‘Terminator’ into an animated series. His response was ‘Ishikawa, are you out of your mind?’ At that instant, I was confident we should get onboard. As huge fans, our team at Production I.G is putting their heart and souls into creating this series. We hope fans will enjoy it!”
The Showrunner of the Terminator Anime Series
As far as the person in charge, Mattson Tomlin will be the showrunner as well as an executive producer. Tomlin recently worked on the script for DC’s upcoming The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson. He has also previously worked with Netflix having written 2020’s Project Power. Alongside the announcement, Tomlin had this to say:
Anyone who knows my writing knows I believe in taking big swings and going for the heart. I’m honored that Netflix and Skydance have given me the opportunity to approach ‘Terminator’ in a way that breaks conventions, subverts expectations and has real guts.”
Netflix and Skydance are keeping story details under wraps for now. But if Tomlin and Ishikawa are to be believed, the Terminator anime series will break new ground. And the once-iconic franchise could definitely use it.
Is an anime series what the troubled Terminator franchise needs? Let us know in the comments!
