It made approximately $100 million less than 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day', it received few critical plaudits, and almost no awards of any kind. The results, frankly, speak for themselves. Arnold Schwarzenegger picked up $30 million of that figure in his own salary.
#Terminator 3 budget movie
It was, at that point, the most expensive movie ever made with a budget topping out at $187 million. Twelve years later, 'Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines' landed in cinemas and without James Cameron's involvement. What kind of fate did they have? Not a great one, frankly. The long and winding road that leads into an uncertain but hopeful future for John and Sarah Connor, with no fate but what they made of it. The final thumbs up as he's lowered into the fire. The T-800, realising at last what is it to be human and sacrificing himself in order to protect humanity and John Connor. Indeed, 30 years on, 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' frequently tops critics' lists of action, sci-fi, and sequel movies. 'You Could Be Mine', the song by Guns 'N Roses featured in the movie, was a Top 10 hit around the globe. Arnold Schwarzenegger became a household name. It would go on to win four Oscars, two BAFTAs, a Hugo Award, and a People's Choice Award. It was critically acclaimed, with the likes of Roger Ebert, and the Washington Post, citing its dynamic action and special effects. Globally, it was the biggest movie of 1991, defeating Kevin Costner's curiously American accent in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'. It debuted thirty years ago this weekend and eventually sold 48 million cinema tickets in the US and Canada. In 1991, however, 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' vaporised them all.
In the '10s, it was Vin Diesel and his Waltons-esque family soap operas in cars.
In the '00s, you had Matt Damon' forgetful assassin, Jason Bourne.
But when they strike it big, they become a franchise. They can be made relatively cheaply, turned out into cinemas and streaming services, and if they fail, producers have only put up small amounts of money. Like horror movies, they have a disposable nature to them. Action movies are frequently a business and rarely an artform.