Justin Lin Won't Direct TERMINATOR 5, Filming Delayed To Fall 2012

Fast Five director Justin Lin had been banking on shooting his much talked about Terminator5 this fall and for a while it looked like it might actually happen. The action helmer, enthusiastic after the success of his latest entry in the Fast & The Furious franchise had secured financing via billionaire Megan Ellison, who had paid $20 million for the rights to the series at Cannes, and had convinced 64 year old Arnold Schwarzenegger to return to the franchise that had made his name in the 80's. But in life, you truly never know what is around the corner. In an unfortunate pre-production development as you are ever likely to witness, Arnold Schwarzenegger became embroiled in a media frenzy over his personal scandals and he quickly delayed all forthcoming roles to take a few months off to sort his life out, leaving Lin without the one man he couldn't make his new Terminator movie without. But Lin has been determined and reportedly shunned high-profile offers for projects like Die Hard 5 and The Wolverine as he chipped away at Arnie but with the actor staying loyal to his friend Sylvester Stallone to appear in a 'more substantial role' in The Expendables 2 this October and committing himself to Jee-woon Kim's Last Stand, the schedules just haven't worked out for Lin and Arnie. Deadline report that Terminator 5 has now been pushed back a full year to a fourth quarter 2012 start and Lin has had to bow out from directing as he is committed to delivering Fast Six to Universal. Megan Ellison is now on the hunt for a new director, but as two films are planned to end the Cameron/Schwarzenegger storyline, Lin might yet return to direct Terminator 6 in the near future. It's also said if the film's start is delayed to 2013 he would come back and direct both films. Which could well happen. There isn't even a full screenplay yet in place for Terminator 5, Ellison only ever had Lin's outline (though which is said to be incredibly detailed and had creative input from James Cameron who wasn't officially on board in any capacity but did sit in a few creative meetings to give his thoughts & ideas) and it's a particularly tough idea for a screenwriter to carry on the Cameron-era Terminator with Lin's idea to use Arnie at the age he is now and the character of Sarah Connor. Personally I think I would need longer than a year to make all that make sense! Plus Ellison still needs a studio partner which she hasn't secured, though all the big studio's in town have some interest and with Arnie secured it should be a formality. So right now The Terminator franchise is getting some much needed breathing space and let's hope Ellison finds a sci-fi writer of note like a Damon Lindelof to make sense of Lin's ideas, or better yet Terminator 2 writer Bill Wisher to perhaps move away from his ideas! Also required is a director who is more cereberally minded than Justin Lin. After McG, Jonathan Mostow and Justin Lin... I don't really want to see ACTION directors on this franchise, I want to see science fiction guy handle sci-fi. Isn't that how it should be? Expect director shortlists soon.... Previously; Arnold Schwarzenegger Halts Commitments To CRY MACHO & TERMINATOR 5Justin Lin Says Whole Cast Won€™t Return For TERMINATOR 5Arnold Schwarzenegger Will Return As THE TERMINATOR For Director Justin LinTwo major bullets hit Bill Wisher€™s TERMINATOR 5 & 6 treatment (Terminator 2 writer's failed pitch) Original James Cameron co-writer has kick-ass TERMINATOR 5 & 6 treatment!! (Terminator 2 writer's failed pitch) Matt reviews TERMINATOR SALVATION Blu-rayReview €“ TERMINATOR: SALVATIONNobody likes TERMINATOR SALVATION