When Ridley Scott Refused $20 Million to Direct Terminator 3 and Compared It to James Bond(Photo Credit –Wikimedia)
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With nearly five decades behind the camera, Ridley Scott is often hailed as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. At 87, the legendary director has built a remarkable legacy with groundbreaking films like Alien (hard to believe it was only his second movie), Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, Body of Lies, and The Martian, among many others. Throughout his career, he has directed over 30 films, which have collectively grossed more than $5 billion at the global box office.
Why Ridley Scott Turned Down Terminator 3
The first two Terminator films, directed by James Cameron, are widely regarded as timeless classics. So why did Ridley Scott pass on the chance to direct the third installment? In a recent conversation with The Guardian the Golden Globe-winning filmmaker revealed he was offered a jaw-dropping $20 million to helm Terminator 3. It sounded like an irresistible offer, but Ridley Scott still walked away. His reason was straightforward: he felt a film like this “wasn’t his thing,” suggesting that creative satisfaction mattered more to him than even a hefty paycheck.
What’s the James Bond Connection
While discussing why he turned down Terminator 3, Ridley Scott talked about a surprising comparison to the James Bond franchise. He explained, “The essence of a Bond movie is fun and camp. Terminator is pure comic strip. I would try to make it real. That’s why they’ve never asked me to do a Bond movie, because I could f**k it up.”
The third film in the franchise, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, was eventually directed by Jonathan Mostow. While the movie performed well commercially, it struggled to live up to the towering legacy of James Cameron’s first two installments. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 70% score (Source: RT), falling far short of the franchise’s earlier benchmarks, with The Terminator at a perfect 100% (Source: RT) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day at 91% (Source: RT).
What Ridley Scott’s Terminator 3 Might’ve Looked Like
Imagine if Ridley Scott had said yes to directing Terminator 3. His version probably wouldn’t have looked like the fast-paced, action-heavy film we got, but something slower, darker, and more atmospheric. Ridley Scott has always been known for building tension and focusing on characters with gritty realism, as seen in Gladiator, Blade Runner, and Black Hawk Down.
Alien vs. Aliens Analogy
The best analogy comes from Ridley Scott’s own filmography. His Alien (1979) was a claustrophobic, slow-burning horror-thriller, while James Cameron’s Aliens (1986) transformed the same universe into a high-octane, action-driven spectacle. Both were masterpieces, but vastly different experiences. Similarly, Ridley Scott’s Terminator 3 might have played out more like a suspenseful techno-thriller, making Skynet and the Terminators feel like an even more believable threat.
Where to Watch Terminator Movies
Here’s where you can stream all the Terminator films, from the original 1984 classic The Terminator to the latest installment, Terminator: Dark Fate:
The Terminator (1984)
India: MGM (Amazon Channel), Prime Video (Rent)
US: HBO Max, Prime Video (Rent)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
India: Amazon Prime Video
US: Paramount Plus, Prime Video (Rent)
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
India: Zee5 (Rent)
US: Not available
Terminator Salvation (2009)
India: Netflix, SonyLIV, Jio Hotstar
US: Prime Video (Rent), Apple TV (Rent)
Terminator Genisys (2015)
India: Prime Video (Rent), Zee5 (Rent)
US: Paramount Plus, Prime Video (Rent)
Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
India: Jio Hotstar
US: Paramount Plus, Prime Video (Rent)
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines – Trailer (via RT)
