Edward Furlong Is Back as John Connor in Terminator: Dark Fate and More SDCC Reveals

Looks like the Connor family is getting back together: Edward Furlong will be reprising his role as John Connor in the upcoming Terminator: Dark Fate. The news was delivered to the packed crowd in Hall H at San Diego Comic Con in a video message from series creator and Dark Fate producer James Cameron, who is currently in New Zealand working on his Avatar sequels.

Furlong, who returns to his very first role after 27 years, was one of the most promising young actors of the 90s. But like many, he struggled with substance abuse and disappeared from the limelight. There’s no word on whether or not Furlong will be part of the main cast or make a cameo appearance. He was not at SDCC nor has he appeared in any promotional material for the film.

The panel featured director Tim Miller and legends Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger, alongside new cast members Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes, Gabriel Luna, and Diego Boneta. Miller revealed that the film would be rated R like the first two films, with plenty of F-bombs flying throughout the panel. “I had a whole other plan in case it didn’t go R. The thing is the DNA of Terminator is an R-rated fucking movie,” Miller said. Miller also reiterated that there was only one timeline for the film, and that the plot would focus on the fallout from Sarah Connor and T-800 destroying Cyberdyne Systems.

The panel included a sneak peek at an extended scene where Hamilton saves the new cast members from a Terminator. She tells the team, “My name is Sarah Connor. Aug. 29, 1997 was supposed to be judgment day. My son and I stopped that. We changed the future. Saved 3 billion lives. You’re welcome. Since then, I hunt Terminators. Enough of a resume for you?”

Hamilton also discussed her preparation for her role, saying “I worked really hard for a good year, diet and all of that to sort of get trim and get as far into the character as I could physically … But one day I woke up and I go you know what, I can no longer worry about trying to be what I was, because I am so much more than I was.”

As for Schwarzenegger, the film finds his T-800 living alone in a cabin in the woods and going by the name “Carl”. In response, Sarah says, “I’m never gonna fuckin call you Carl,” which was met with laughter and cheers from the audience. Here are some more social media reactions from Hall H:

Are you at SDCC? Did you make it into Hall H? Let us know what you thought of the Dark Fate panel!

(via The Hollywood Reporter, image: Paramount Pictures)

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com

Author

Close

Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

twitter