When Terminator Genisys was theatrically released the summer of 2015, the movie received backlash from both critics and the public. While some critics like Tom Long at the Detroit News said ‘Terminator Genisys’ was “the first fully worthy successor to Cameron’s original films” and Terminator fans polled at Skynet’s Army overwhelmingly ranked it as their third favorite Terminator film, the majority of critics and public lampooned it (and its actors), making Genisys the unofficial punching bag of 2015.
Recently, Terminator Genisys director Alan Taylor had a reunion of sorts with Sarah Connor actress Emilia Clarke, when he directed last Sunday’s episode of the popular HBO television series Game of Thrones. So it was only natural that during a promotional interview for the episode, Newsweek asked Alan Taylor to take a look back at his Terminator experience… a recollection that resurfaced all the backlash and harsh criticism Emilia Clarke especially received for her portrayal of Sarah Connor.
ALAN TAYLOR: “That was a rough one,” “…it was tough, it was tough on [Emilia Clarke] and me. I think we came away feeling a little bit burned by the process. It was hard for her in ways that I didn’t have to experience, because it was her face up on the screen and facing the [criticism] we had to face. I’m not surprised she’s more content to carry on with her other fantastic projects than re-enter that world.”
Let’s be honest. When an actress plays a part so perfectly, and owns an role the way Linda Hamilton owns the role of Sarah Connor, the odds are insurmountable against any new willing actress to try to live up to the same iconic performance. And unfortunately, Emilia Clarke learned that the hard way.
Thankfully, the experience of directing “Terminator Genisys” wasn’t all bad.
ALAN TAYLOR: “There were so many great things about it. I think she and I loved some of the same things. Arnold was a delight, in every way, to work with; the crew were a delight; being on location in New Orleans was a delight.
So what are the chances director Alan Taylor or Emilia Clarke will ever return to the Terminator franchise? After the sometimes cruel reception they both received, it’s not likely.
ALAN TAYLOR: Well, it hasn’t come up…but you won’t see either of us back in that world, I think it’s safe to say.”
We’ll be back.
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