A lot could be said for Joss Whedon's ability to start cults. He's the sort of imaginaire who can pull thousands of geeks from the dregs popularly known as prime time television and show them worlds beyond their own. He's a gifted storyteller, and the proof is in his work. From Buffy: The Vampire Slayer to Angel, Firefly and now Dollhouse, it's obvious Joss Whedon is the fanboy who made it out of the geekghetto.
So when a well known fanboy turned storyteller of the moment sets his sights on a troubled franchise (that was once good and can be again, if given the proper respect),people take notice. Not just 'people' as in your average Joe Schmo who happens to read Variety. More like the geeks in suits who make things happen.
It has been announced that the Terminator franchise is up for grabs and powerhouses like Sony and Summit Entertainment are looking to bid. But really, does Sony or Summit have anyone on their team willing to give Terminator what it needs? The franchise doesn't just need money, it needs a fan at the helm. It needs attention to detail (because time paradoxes require such things). It needs a return to its most basic of premises: The story of John Conner...and his role in saving the world.
But extras like more Summer Glau and more porn never hurt anyone.
Joss Whedon wrote an open letter stating his plans for the franchise. I say let the man have it. Maybe he can resurrect this beloved franchise better than anyone. It's not like he doesn't have experience. He took a cancelled show (Firefly) and turned it into a great movie (Serenity). He took a lame movie (Buffy) and made it into a great show (BTVS). He's still trying to get a stubborn network (Fox) to think outside the box (Dollhouse).
But most importantly he's a fan. In this day and age when beloved comic books and classic books from childhood are being made into so-so films (because the people making such movies aren't fans), wouldn't it be nice for a change to see some actual respect for the material?
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Josh Whedon's Open Letter to the owners of the Terminator Franchise:
"An Open Letter to the Terminator Owners. From a Very Important Hollywood Mogul
Dear Sirs/Ma'ams,
I am Joss Whedon, the mastermind behind Titan A.E., Parenthood (not the movie) (or the new series) (or the one where 'hood' was capitalized 'cause it was a pun), and myriad other legendary tales. I have heard through the 'grapevine' that the Terminator franchise is for sale, and I am prepared to make a pre-emptive bid RIGHT NOW to wrap this dealio up. This is not a joke, this is not a scam, this is not available on TV. I will write a check TODAY for $10,000, and viola! Terminator off your hands.
No, you didn't miscount. That's four — FOUR! — zeroes after that one. That's to show you I mean business. And I mean show business. Nikki Finke says the Terminator concept is played. Well, here's what I have to say to Nikki Finke: you are a fine journalist and please don't ever notice me. The Terminator story is as formative and important in our culture — and my pretend play — as any I can think of. It's far from over. And before you Terminator-Owners (I have trouble remembering names) rush to cash that sweet cheque, let me give you a taste of what I could do with that franchise:
1) Terminator... of the Rings! Yeah, what if he time-travelled TOO far... back to when there was dragons and wizards? (I think it was the Dark Ages.) Hasta La Vista, Boramir! Cool, huh? "Now you gonna be Gandalf the Red!" RRRRIP! But then he totally helps, because he's a cyborg and he doesn't give a s#&% about the ring — it has no power over him! And he can carry it AND Frodo AND Sam AND f@%& up some orcs while he's doing it. This stuff just comes to me. I mean it. (I will also offer $10,000 for the Lord of the Rings franchise).
2) More Glau. Hey. There's a reason they're called "Summer" movies.
3) Can you say... musical? Well don't. Even I know that's an awful idea.
4) Christian Bale's John Connor will get a throat lozenge. This will also help his Batwork (ten grand for that franchise too, btw.)
5) More porn. John Connor never told Kyle Reese this, but his main objective in going to the past was to get some. What if there's a lot of future-babies that have to be made? Cue wah-wah pedal guitar — and dollar signs!
6) The movies will stop getting less cool.
Okay. There's more — this brain don't quit! (though it has occasionally been fired) — but I think you get my drift. I really believe the Terminator franchise has only begun to plumb the depths of questioning the human condition during awesome stunts, and I'd like to shepherd it through the next phase. The money is there, but more importantly, the heart is there. But more importantly, money. Think about it. End this bloody bidding war before it begins, and put the Terminator in the hands of someone who watched the first one more than any other movie in college, including "Song of Norway" (no current franchise offer).
Sincerely, Joss Whedon."
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