Even as James Cameron continues to work on the script, the latest news for Terminator 7 sees Linda Hamilton announce she’s done with the franchise. First appearing as Sarah Connor four decades ago in The Terminator, Hamilton returned to reprise her role in 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day and 2019’s Terminator: Dark Fate. Now, the celebrated actor has stated, “I’m done. I have nothing more to say. The story’s been told” when asked about returning once again.
Hamilton being off the table for Terminator 7 does pose an odd challenge for the franchise, especially with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s similar swearing-off of additional sequels. The only thing keeping The Terminator viable as a franchise has been the allure of returning stars, and sequels like Terminator Salvation faltered because they didn’t have any familiar faces. It’s unclear who Cameron had in mind for Terminator 7, but it likely won’t be Sarah Connor.