View source for Terminator (character)

{{short description|Terminator franchise character}}
{{for|delimiting characters used in computing|Statement terminator|String terminator}}
{{See also|Terminator (character concept)}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Terminator
| aliases = Uncle Bob (''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'', [[T2 (novel series)|''T2'']])<br>Guardian, Pops (''Terminator Genisys'')<br>Carl (''Terminator: Dark Fate'')
| image = Terminator-2-judgement-day.jpg
| caption = [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] as the Terminator in ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'' (1991)
| first = ''[[The Terminator]]'' (1984)
| last = ''[[Terminator Zero]]'' (2024)
| creator = [[James Cameron]]<br>[[Gale Anne Hurd]]
| portrayer = [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]{{efn|Appears in ''[[Terminator Salvation]]'' (2009) through digital recreation only.}}
| voice = {{Plainlist|
* [[Mark Moseley (actor)|Mark Moseley]] 
** (''[[Terminator 3: The Redemption|The Redemption]]'')
* [[Chris Cox (voice actor)|Chris Cox]]
** (''[[Mortal Kombat 11]]'')
* [[Timothy Olyphant]]
** (''[[Terminator Zero]]'')<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2024-06-06 |title=Timothy Olyphant To Voice Terminator In Animated Netflix Series |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/timothy-olyphant-terminator-animated-netflix-series-1235960994/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>}}
| lbl1 = Body doubles
| data1 = {{Plainlist|
* [[Roland Kickinger]] (''Salvation'')
* Brett Azar (''Genisys'', ''Dark Fate'')
}}
| species = [[Cyborg]]/[[Artificial intelligence]] ([[human tissue]]-grafted robotic [[endoskeleton]])
| gender = Male human tissue exterior
| series = [[Terminator (franchise)|''Terminator'']]
| occupation = Assassin, infiltrator (''The Terminator'', ''Salvation'', ''Genisys'', and ''Dark Fate'')<br />Bodyguard (''Judgment Day'', ''Rise of the Machines'', ''Genisys'', and ''Dark Fate'')
| lbl22 = Machine designation
| data22 = Model 101 (''The Terminator'', ''Judgment Day'', ''Genisys'', ''Dark Fate'')<br />T-101 / T-850 (''Rise of the Machines'')<br />T-800 (''Salvation'', ''Genisys'', ''Dark Fate'')
| lbl21 = Manufacturer
| data21 = Cyberdyne Systems
}}
{{Arnold Schwarzenegger series}}
The '''Terminator''', also known as a '''Cyberdyne Systems Model 101''' or '''T-800''', is the name of several film [[Character (arts)|characters]] from the [[Terminator (franchise)|''Terminator'' franchise]] portrayed by [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. The Terminator itself is part of a [[Terminator (character concept)|series of machines]] created by [[Skynet (Terminator)|Skynet]], an artificial intelligence, for [[Infiltration tactics|infiltration]]-based surveillance and assassination missions. While an [[Android (robot)|android]] for its appearance, it is usually described as a [[cyborg]] consisting of [[Tissue (biology)|living tissue]] over a robotic [[endoskeleton]].

The first appearance of the Terminator was as the eponymous main [[antagonist]] in ''[[The Terminator]]'', a 1984 film directed and co-written by [[James Cameron]]. While the original Terminator was destroyed, other machines with the same appearance are featured in the sequels. In ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'' (1991) and ''[[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]]'' (2003), Schwarzenegger's Terminator serves as the main [[protagonist]], while in ''[[Terminator Genisys]]'' (2015) and ''[[Terminator: Dark Fate]]'' (2019), it serves as a [[Protagonist#Supporting_protagonist|supporting protagonist]], and is pitted against other [[Terminator (character concept)|Terminators]] sent by Skynet and its successor Legion. 

In ''[[Terminator Salvation]]'' (2009) and ''Dark Fate'', the character also appears briefly as an antagonist. In the context of the stories, the plot device of having various robots looking the same provides a certain continuity for the human characters by exploiting their emotional familiarity with a particular "human" visage associated with each "model". The "Terminator" title is also used as a generic name for [[Terminator (character concept)|other human-simulating characters]] in the ''Terminator'' franchise, such as the liquid-metal [[T-1000]] antagonist in ''Judgment Day''.

The Terminator is Schwarzenegger's best-known role, and resulted in two catchphrases, "[[I'll be back]]" and "[[Hasta la vista, baby]]", used in the first and second film respectively.

==Fictional background==
A Terminator is an infiltration-based assassin, described in the films as a cybernetic organism. They are built in the future by [[Skynet (Terminator)|Skynet]], an artificial intelligence engaged in a war against humans. Often known as a T-800, the T-800 series is preceded by an earlier model known as the [[T-600]] series, which used artificial rubber skin and was easily spotted by members of the human resistance.

T-800 models are all identical in appearance: a muscular, male human exterior made up of living tissue, covering a metal [[endoskeleton]] actuated by a powerful network of [[hydraulic machinery|hydraulic]] [[servomechanism]]s, which provide [[superhuman strength]]. In the ''Terminator'' sequels, armies of skinless T-800 endoskeletons are shown to be used by Skynet during future war sequences, serving as soldiers rather than infiltrators. With the exterior appearance applied, they are the first Terminator model capable of blending in with humans; as a result, the resistance began using dogs to detect them.<ref name=Best/>

In [[The Terminator|the first film]], a Terminator time travels from 2029 to 1984 to alter the past by killing [[Sarah Connor (Terminator)|Sarah Connor]], retroactively ensuring victory for Skynet. [[Kyle Reese]], a future soldier sent back to stop the Terminator, describes the latter as such:

:"The Terminator is an infiltration unit, part man – part machine. Underneath it's a hyperalloy combat chassis, microprocessor-controlled, fully armored, very tough. But outside it's living human tissue. Flesh, skin, hair, blood, grown for the cyborgs."

The skin is prone to aging and injury related deterioration,<ref>{{cite news |last=Reimann |first=Tom |title=Here's the Reason Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800 Ages in 'Terminator: Dark Fate' |url=https://collider.com/terminator-dark-fate-why-terminator-ages/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |work=Collider |date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> but can heal itself with enough time.<ref>According to the Terminator, when asked by Sarah Connor in ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]''. Also stated in ''[[Terminator Genisys]]''.</ref> According to early drafts for the original film, a Terminator must consume small amounts of food to maintain the human skin, a detail that is absent in the finished film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gunning |first=Cathal |title=Terminator Cutting Its Oddest Scene Created A Franchise Plot Hole |url=https://screenrant.com/do-terminators-eat-original-movie-deleted-scene/ |website=ScreenRant |access-date=May 5, 2024 |date=November 29, 2022}}</ref>

A Terminator can withstand normal 20th century [[firearm]]s, crash through walls with little to no damage, and survive [[explosion]]s to some degree. Repeated shotgun blasts have enough force to knock down and temporarily disable the cyborg, while heavy amounts of automatic fire are able to compromise the organic disguise layer. Terminators can continue functioning even after losing one or more limbs. Reese describes the Terminator's relentlessness to Sarah in the first film:

:"It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear! And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead!"

The Terminator's [[Central processing unit|CPU]] is an [[artificial neural network]] with [[machine learning|the ability to learn and adapt]]. For instance, in the original film, it learns how to swear from a group of punks it encounters. In ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'', the character states, "The more contact I have with humans, the more I learn." A deleted scene from the second film, restored in the Special Edition, provides more backstory on the Terminator's learning ability; the character says that Terminators are set to [[File-system permissions|read-only]], a measure taken by Skynet to prevent them from "thinking too much". Sarah and John then activate its learning ability, after which it becomes more curious and begins trying to understand and imitate human behavior. It ultimately learns "the value of human life" as mused by Sarah in the closing narration of the theatrical cut.<ref name=Ringer/><ref>{{Cite web|first=Oktay Ege |last=Kozak | url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/terminator-2/battle-of-the-cuts-terminator-2-theatrical-vs-sp/ |title=Battle Of The Cuts: ''Terminator 2''—Theatrical Vs. Special Edition|website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|date=April 11, 2018 |access-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205074814/https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/terminator-2/battle-of-the-cuts-terminator-2-theatrical-vs-sp/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Andy|last=Greene| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/terminator-2-judgment-day-deleted-scene-840915/|title=Flashback: The Terminator Gets Rebooted In A ''T2: Judgment Day'' Deleted Scene|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 28, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603072820/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/terminator-2-judgment-day-deleted-scene-840915/ |archive-date=June 3, 2019 |url-access=limited |url-status=live}}</ref> Later films in the series further humanize the character.<ref name=Ruined/>

[[File:Terminator in Madame Tussaud London (33465711484).jpg|thumb|left|A Terminator figure at [[Madame Tussauds London]], demonstrating the metallic interior and red eyes]]
Throughout the series, the Terminator is typically depicted wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket.<ref>{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |title='Terminator' turns 35: Arnold Schwarzenegger's sunglasses completed the perfect killer |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/10/27/terminator-35th-anniversary-arnold-schwarzenegger-donned-killer-gargoyle-sunglasses/2480133001/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=October 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chichizola |first=Corey |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Shot Down A Key Terminator Callback In Dark Fate |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2483727/arnold-schwarzenegger-shot-down-a-key-terminator-callback-in-dark-fate |website=CinemaBlend |access-date=May 10, 2024 |date=November 4, 2019}}</ref> Another trait persistent throughout the series is the faint red glow of the "eyes" when the cyborg is online; the lack of the glow has been used to show when one is out of action. The Terminator has an Austrian accent but can also [[audio deepfake|copy the voice of others]].<ref name=Best>{{cite web |last=Sofge |first=Erik |title=The Toughest, Smartest, Best Terminators of All Time (T-800) |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/robotics/4245140.html?page=2 |website=Popular Mechanics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228113355/http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/robotics/4245140.html?page=2 |archive-date=February 28, 2009 |date=January 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Berlatsky |first=Noah |title=WTF Moments: Terminator 2's phone booth scene still makes us choke on our milk |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/wtf-moments-terminator-2s-phone-booth-scene-still-makes-us-choke-on-our-milk |website=Syfy |access-date=November 26, 2023 |date=May 27, 2019}}</ref>

In [[Terminator 2: Judgment Day|the second film]], the Terminator states that he can operate for 120 years on his power cell. In [[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines|the third film]], the Terminator is slightly modified, operating on two hydrogen [[fuel cell]]s; when damaged, these explode with enough force to produce a small [[mushroom cloud]]. This iteration of the character also has an understanding of basic psychology.

===Nomenclature===
Commonly known as the Terminator, the character is also given more specific designations, which help distinguish from other mass-produced [[Terminator (character concept)|Terminators]] seen in each of the sequels.<ref name=Many>{{cite web |last1=Collura |first1=Scott |last2=Linder |first2=Brian |title=The Many Looks of the Terminator: Part One |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/05/15/the-many-looks-of-the-terminator-part-one |website=IGN |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=May 15, 2009}}</ref>

In the first two films and ''[[Terminator: Dark Fate]]'', the character is referred to as a "Cyberdyne Systems Model 101", referencing the Cyberdyne Systems company which created Skynet. In ''[[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]]'' (''T3''), he is referred to as a "T-101". This name also occurs throughout the [[T2 (novel series)|''T2'' novels]]. A slight variation, "T101", was used as early as 1991, in the [[Amstrad CPC]] and [[ZX Spectrum]] versions of the [[Terminator 2 (computer game)|''Terminator 2'' computer game]].<ref>{{cite video game |title=Terminator 2: Judgment Day |developer=Dementia |publisher=[[Ocean Software]] |date=1991 |platform=Amstrad CPC}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Roberts |first=Nick |date=December 1991 |title=Terminator 2: Judgment Day |magazine=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]] |location=United Kingdom |pages=54–55}}</ref>

The name "T-800" had been used off-screen in news articles and reviews for ''Terminator 2'', differentiating from the film's other Terminator character, the [[T-1000]].<ref name=Hinson/><ref>{{cite news |title=Arnie's $100 Million Judgment Day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/120211979/ |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=June 8, 1991 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Thriller with a conscience |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/734046284/ |work=Brantford Expositor |date=June 29, 1991 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Big-budget 'Terminator 2' is upping the cyborg ante |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/439481669/ |work=The Boston Globe |date=June 30, 1991 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The T-800's [[heads-up display]] in the film specifically identifies him as a "Cyberdyne Systems Series 800 Model 101 Version 2.4".<ref>{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=Kevin |title=Behind the Cybernetics with the Next Terminator Generation |url=https://gizmodo.com/behind-the-cybernetics-with-the-next-terminator-generat-352773 |website=Gizmodo |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=February 5, 2008}}</ref> The novelization of the third film refers to the character by a different designation: a T-850 rather than a T-101, described as a newer, upgraded version of the T-800.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hagberg |first=David |title=Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines |date=2003 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=9780765347411 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DU-hnoszGTMC |access-date=October 10, 2019 |pages=146–148}}</ref> Both T-800 and T-850 were used in merchandising for the film series.<ref name=Many/><ref>{{cite web |last=Linder |first=Brian |title=Toying with the Terminator: Have a look at McFarlane Toys' T3 figures |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/386/386687p1.html |work=IGN |date=February 19, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303113857/http://movies.ign.com/articles/386/386687p1.html |archive-date=March 3, 2012}}</ref> ''Terminator Salvation'' has the first on-screen usage of the term T-800, which is also used in ''[[Terminator Genisys]]''.<ref>Guardian: "As a T-800, I lack the mimetic skills to appear as anyone else." ''Terminator Genisys''.</ref>

Because the Terminator is portrayed by [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], the character is sometimes referred to as the Arnold Terminator, distinguishing from other Terminators played by different actors.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaye |first=Don |title=How James Cameron Came Back for Terminator: Dark Fate |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/how-james-cameron-came-back-for-terminator-dark-fate/ |website=Den of Geek |access-date=May 12, 2024 |date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> Some of the Terminators portrayed by Schwarzenegger are also given on-screen nicknames. In ''Terminator 2'', [[John Connor (Terminator)|John Connor]] introduces the Model 101 to his mother's friends as his "Uncle Bob". In ''Terminator Genisys'', Sarah Connor refers to the T-800 as "Pops", while the [[end credits]] list him as "Guardian". In ''Terminator: Dark Fate'', the character goes by the name "Carl".

In the ''Terminator 2'' DVD commentary, director and franchise creator [[James Cameron]] states that all Model 101s look like Schwarzenegger, with a 102 resembling someone else,<ref name=Many/> leading to fan speculation that the 101 refers to the physical appearance while the 800 refers to the endoskeleton common to many models.

===Character origin===
The origin of the Terminator's physical and vocal templates is provided in the 2001 novel ''T2: Infiltrator'', in the form of former counter-terrorist Dieter von Rossbach, who meets and joins forces with the Connors in the present. The novel reveals that he was never questioned about the Terminators' actions, as his superiors always knew that he was somewhere else during the rampages. The reason stated for copying Dieter was that Skynet was looking in the old military files for someone whose body could effectively conceal the Terminator's massive endoskeleton. The voice was provided through Kurt Viemeister, the scientist that taught Skynet its sentience.

A different origin is provided in a humorous deleted scene for ''Terminator 3'', removed by director [[Jonathan Mostow]] who found it too comedic. In the scene, the Terminator's human appearance is said to be based on that of [[Chief Master Sergeant]] William Candy, also portrayed by Schwarzenegger but with a dubbed-over [[Southern American English|Southern accent]], which would be replaced in-universe by the more menacing Austrian-accented voice of one of the developers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |title=LOL: Terminator 3 Deleted Scene Explains Why The Terminators Look Like Arnold |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/lol-terminator-3-deleted-scene-explains-why-the-terminators-look-like-arnold/ |website=/Film |accessdate=October 17, 2019 |date=June 29, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Horn |first=Shawn Van |title=This Awful Terminator Deleted Scene Explains Why the Robots Look Like Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=https://collider.com/terminator-3-rise-of-the-machines-deleted-scene/ |website=Collider |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=March 8, 2024}}</ref>

When asked in 2017 why all T-800s look the same, Cameron suggested that Skynet had harvested the DNA from a human who had the same appearance, stating "it has flashed through my mind that there has to have been a prototype. [...] Now, the question is, did that person have some sort of meaning to Skynet on ''why'' they chose that one? Or was it like a whole rack of Terminators and the one that happened to be the Arnold model just happened to be closest to the door going out to the time displacement center and all the others looked different? I've asked myself these questions but it's never been resolved".<ref>{{cite web |last=Leston |first=Ryan |title=Terminator 6 may explain why all T-800s look like Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/movies/terminator-6-may-explain-terminators-look-like-arnold-schwarzenegger-150352893.html |website=Yahoo |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

==Appearances==
The Terminator appears in all six films of the franchise, each one featuring a different individual with the same likeness. The Terminator is an antagonist in the original film, and generally portrayed as a protagonist in the sequels. Every iteration of the character is destroyed at the end of each film, with the exception of ''Terminator Genisys''.

=== ''The Terminator'' (1984) ===
{{see also|The Terminator}}
The Model 101 is sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to terminate [[Sarah Connor (Terminator)|Sarah Connor]] ([[Linda Hamilton]]), thereby preventing the birth of her son, [[John Connor]], the future leader of the Human Resistance. Lack of surviving records in the future meant that it was limited to only knowing Sarah's name and that she lived in Los Angeles at the time, with the result that it killed two other Sarah Connors in the city before finding its target. This allows [[Kyle Reese]] ([[Michael Biehn]]), a soldier sent from 2029 to protect Sarah, to find her before the Terminator does. 

During several skirmishes, the Terminator withstands contemporary gunfire with only superficial damage to its exterior tissue. It is later caught in a fuel tanker explosion, burning away its flesh covering to expose its mechanical nature and causing minor damage to one of its legs, slowing him down. Kyle sacrifices himself to damage the Terminator with a pipe bomb that destroys its legs, and Sarah crushes the remaining endoskeleton in a [[hydraulic press]] to shut it down permanently.

=== ''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' (1991) ===
{{see also|Terminator 2: Judgment Day}}
A Model 101 is reprogrammed by the future John Connor ([[Michael Edwards (actor)|Michael Edwards]]), and sent back to 1995 to protect young John ([[Edward Furlong]]) from a [[T-1000]] ([[Robert Patrick]]), an advanced [[shapeshifting]] Terminator made of liquid metal that has been dispatched to kill him. The Model 101 is programmed to follow John's orders and works with the Connors to prevent [[Terminator (franchise)#Judgment Day|Judgment Day]]; John also prohibits it from killing innocent humans who stand in their way, so the cyborg instead uses non-lethal force. During its time with the Connors, this Model 101 is taught how to speak in [[slang]]-like terms, such as "[[Hasta la vista, baby]]", and encouraged to act more human, to the point that it develops into an almost fatherly role for John. Sarah reflects that the Model 101 is the first "male" figure John has ever had in his life who can be guaranteed to always be there for him.

The T-1000 chases the trio into a steel mill and overpowers the Model 101 in hand-to-hand combat, impaling it through the chest and destroying its main power supply. However, the Model 101 activates a backup power source, frees itself, and blasts the T-1000 into a vat of molten steel with a [[grenade launcher]] to destroy it.

Prior to the film's events, Cyberdyne Systems had recovered a forearm and the damaged CPU chip from the Terminator in 1984 and used those components to radically advance its research and technology, which eventually led to the creation of Skynet in 1997. In ''Terminator 2'', John steals the items from Cyberdyne's research lab and later throws them into the vat to destroy them. Because it cannot self-terminate, the Model 101 has Sarah lower it into the steel in order to destroy its CPU as well and thus prevent the technology from being used to create Skynet.

=== ''Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'' (2003) <span class="anchor" id="Rise of the Machines"></span>===
{{see also|Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Terminator-3-T-850.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The T-850 holding off the T-X's pursuit]] -->
Despite the events of the second film, Judgment Day was merely delayed. A T-101 Terminator is eventually reprogrammed by the human resistance and sent to the 2000s, this time to protect John Connor ([[Nick Stahl]]) and his future wife Kate Brewster ([[Claire Danes]]) from Skynet's [[T-X]] ([[Kristanna Loken]]), which is also designed to destroy other Terminators. The T-101 is powered by two hydrogen fuel cells, one of which it discards after being damaged by the T-X. 

Eventually, the T-X uses its nanites to take control of the T-101's autonomous functions, sending it to kill John and Kate. Since the T-101's core consciousness is still intact and it just lacks physical control of its body, John is able to incite it to shut down by noting the conflict between its current actions and its programmed mission. The T-101 later reboots itself free from the T-X's control. As John and Kate retreat to a bunker to wait out the now-inevitable nuclear war, the T-101 battles the T-X, using its remaining fuel cell to destroy them both in a massive detonation.

This T-101 is revealed to have killed John in 2032, having been chosen due to John's emotional attachment to the prior, identical-looking model in ''Terminator 2''. After being captured by the resistance, the T-101 was reprogrammed to follow Kate's orders, as she was the second-in-command prior to John's death.

=== ''Terminator Salvation'' (2009) ===
{{see also|Terminator Salvation}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Terminator-Salvation-T-800.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The T-800 approaching its target: John Connor.]] -->
The T-800 ([[Roland Kickinger]]) has a small role, though once again as an antagonist. Near the end of the film, the T-800 engages John Connor ([[Christian Bale]]) in battle during John's attempt to rescue Kyle Reese ([[Anton Yelchin]]) from the Skynet base in San Francisco. John holds his own with his advanced weaponry, but is unable to stop the Terminator until the latter is drenched in molten metal and then liquid nitrogen, freezing him temporarily. As John begins planting hydrogen fuel cells, [[cyborg]] prototype Marcus Wright ([[Sam Worthington]]) arrives to stall the T-800. The Terminator is able to incapacitate Marcus long enough to stab John through the abdomen. Marcus awakens and soon destroys the T-800. The fuel cells are set off as John and Marcus escape, destroying the base and a number of unfinished T-800s.

===''Terminator Genisys'' (2015)===
{{see also|Terminator Genisys}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Terminator-Genisys-T-800.jpg|right|thumb|250px|T-800 "Pops" pursuing the original 1984 T-800.]] -->
''Terminator Genisys'' follows the early events of the first film before diverging into an alternate timeline, ignoring all previous sequels. In the film, a T-800 was reprogrammed by an unknown party some time in the future and sent to 1973, to protect nine-year-old Sarah Connor ([[Emilia Clarke]]) from a T-1000. After her parents are killed, the T-800 becomes her surrogate father and raises her to prepare for her future destiny, similar to the relationship between the Terminator and the young John Connor in ''Terminator 2''. The T-800, which Sarah refers to as "Pops", has experienced an unprecedented level of emotional development, to the extent that it keeps her childhood drawings and photographs. 

In the film, it is speculated that the knowledge of who sent Pops back was deliberately erased from its memory so that Skynet ([[Matt Smith (actor)|Matt Smith]]) could not track them down later. Pops integrates into human society, and at one point obtains a job as a construction worker to build the headquarters for Cyberdyne Systems. Throughout the film, it struggles with physical limitations due to increasing age, but states several times that it is, "Old, not obsolete." Like the Terminator in the second film, Pops has been prohibited from killing humans.

After Kyle Reese's ([[Jai Courtney]]) arrival in 1984, the trio defeat the T-1000 ([[Lee Byung-hun]]). Later, in 2017, they battle John Connor ([[Jason Clarke]]), who has been transformed into a [[T-3000]] tasked to ensure Skynet's rise. After multiple confrontations, Pops attempts to sacrifice itself to destroy the T-3000, telling Kyle Reese, "Protect my Sarah". During the battle, Pops is thrown into a vat of liquid metal before the T-3000's defeat, and as a result gains shapeshifting abilities like the T-1000. Pops then gives its approval of Sarah and Kyle's relationship.

A youthful T-800 (Brett Azar), looking like the one in the first film, is also intercepted by the aging T-800 and Sarah after arriving in the alternate 1984. Before the T-1000 is destroyed, he reactivates and reprograms the younger cyborg to pursue Kyle, who blows its head off. The young T-800's endoskeleton is dissolved in [[hydrochloric acid]], and its CPU is used to operate Sarah and the older Terminator's time machine. The CPU is destroyed after the machine's usage, and with the older Terminator's existence concealed, Cyberdyne's plan for an A.I. (eventually named Genisys) is delayed until 2017.

=== ''Terminator: Dark Fate'' (2019) ===
{{see also|Terminator: Dark Fate}}
In ''Terminator: Dark Fate'', a direct sequel to ''Judgment Day'', Schwarzenegger plays a T-800 called "Carl".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/07/19/terminator-dark-fate-arnold-schwarzengger-t800-name-carl-comic-con/|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800 in Terminator: Dark Fate Is Named Carl|website=Movies|date=19 July 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-07-19}}</ref> Originally one of a series of Terminators sent back by Skynet to kill John Connor prior to its erasure, the Terminator that would become Carl successfully tracked down and killed John in [[Livingston, Guatemala]] in 1998. With its sole mission complete and with Skynet no longer existing, the T-800 is left purposeless. In time, it became self-aware, realized it is free from Skynet, assumed the name Carl, and began exhibiting behavior much like humans. 

Months after killing John, Carl experienced compassion towards an abused woman, Alicia, and made a choice of rescuing her and her child, Mateo, from her uncaring husband. Carl becomes a father figure to Mateo, although its relationship with Alicia is non-sexual. Carl's role as a family man gave it some idea of what had been taken from Sarah when it murdered her son, and the memory of John's death torments Carl to the point of being repentant. At some point, Carl established a drapery business in [[Laredo, Texas]], where the family lives in a cabin. Over twenty years, Carl has aged significantly and its human social skills have improved.

Since John's death, Carl used its awareness of "chrono displacements" and sent Sarah text messages with the GPS coordinates of where and when other time-traveling Terminators would arrive. Carl's intention was to give Sarah a purpose by allowing her the chance to destroy the other Terminators, which Carl felt would give John's death some form of meaning. It keeps track of Sarah's whereabouts to make sure she survives her hunts. In 2020, Sarah decides to help Dani Ramos escape the [[Rev-9]], a new class of Terminator sent from 2042 by a Skynet-analogous A.I. called Legion. The women also meet Grace, a cybernetically augmented future soldier who was sent to protect Dani, who will later lead the human resistance against Legion.

They later meet Carl and learn it had been sending Sarah the coordinates. Although Sarah hates Carl for the murder of her son, Dani convinces her that they need its help to destroy the Rev-9. Sarah concedes, but vows to destroy Carl after they stop the Rev-9, and Carl says he understands her intention. They confront the Rev-9 in a hydro-electric dam, where Grace and Carl sacrifice themselves to stop him. Carl's last words are "For John," a message it always included in its text messages to Sarah.

=== Other appearances ===
[[File:Mortal Kombat 11 - Terminator T-800 Official Gameplay Trailer.webm|thumb|The Terminator as a playable character in ''[[Mortal Kombat 11]]'']]
Schwarzenegger reprised the role in the music video for "[[You Could Be Mine]]", a 1991 song by [[Guns N' Roses]] that is featured in ''Terminator 2''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Joseph |last=Baxter |title=''Terminator 2'' At 30: How Guns N' Roses Created The Perfect Hype|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/terminator-2-at-30-guns-n-roses-song/ |website=[[Den of Geek]] |date=June 30, 2021 |access-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203233705/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/terminator-2-at-30-guns-n-roses-song/ |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> He also reprised the role for a theme park attraction known as ''[[T2-3D: Battle Across Time]]'', which opened in 1996.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hicks |first=Chris |title='Terminator' Series Wasn't Terminal After All |url=https://www.deseret.com/1996/6/2/19246013/terminator-series-wasn-t-terminal-after-all |work=Deseret News |date=June 2, 1996 |access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref>

The character has also made appearances in numerous video games outside of the ''Terminator'' franchise. It is parodied in the side-scrolling shooter game ''[[Broforce]]'' (2015) as a playable character called the Brominator, with his appearance referencing Schwarzenegger.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fenlon |first=Wes |title=Broforce review (Early Access) |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/broforce-review-early-access/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=May 5, 2024 |date=June 20, 2014}}</ref>

The T-800 is also a guest playable character in the 2019 fighting game ''[[Mortal Kombat 11]]'', available through the game's Kombat Pack bundle of [[downloadable content]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/538907-mortal-kombat-11-kombat-pack-1-release-date-characters-mk11-spawn |title=''Mortal Kombat 11'' Kombat Pack: Release date and characters |date=August 21, 2019 |work=GameRevolution |access-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref> Schwarzenegger's likeness is used for the character, but his voice is not.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/arnold-schwarzenegger-not-voicing-mortal-kombat-11-terminator-role-1234209 |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Not Voicing ''Mortal Kombat 11'' Terminator Role |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=23 August 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref> He is instead voiced by [[Chris Cox (voice actor)|Chris Cox]] at the suggestion of Schwarzenegger.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/_DaanishSyed/status/1177398310233153536 |title=Daanish Syed on Twitter: "We've already revealed that Arnold was not able to do it, but he did choose the actor that is doing his voice" |access-date=2019-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927024804/https://twitter.com/_DaanishSyed/status/1177398310233153536 |archive-date=2019-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Dominic Cianciolo |url=https://twitter.com/domcianciolo/status/1179103018425442306 |title=Dominic Cianciolo on Twitter: "@Terminator vs. #CassieQuinn. Ready to play! #mk11 @ericalindbeck @ChrisCoxVox " |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2019-10-01 |access-date=2019-10-05}}</ref> According to its biography, the Terminator in this game hails from the ''Dark Fate'' timeline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mortalkombat.com/roster/terminator|title=Mortal Kombat 11 Roster: Terminator|publisher=MortalKombat.com|date=2020-10-08|access-date=2020-10-08|archive-date=2020-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115221204/https://www.mortalkombat.com/roster/terminator|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2021, the T-800 became a character outfit in the online game ''[[Fortnite]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Knoop |first=Joseph |title=The Terminator and Sarah Connor are in Fortnite now |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnite-terminator-skin/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=January 22, 2021 |date=January 21, 2021}}</ref> In 2023, a second T-800 skin was released, this time featuring Schwarzenegger's likeness.<ref>{{cite web |last=Barnhardt |first=Adam |title=Fortnite Reveals New Terminator Skin |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/fortnite-terminator-new-skin-revealed/ |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=May 5, 2024 |date=July 30, 2023}}</ref>

The T-800 and [[T-1000]] are featured in ''[[Call of Duty: Vanguard]]'' (2021) and the initial version of ''[[Call of Duty: Warzone]]'' (2020) as playable operators.<ref>{{cite web |last=Duwe |first=Scott |title=How to get the Terminator skins in Call of Duty: Vanguard and Warzone |url=https://dotesports.com/call-of-duty/news/how-to-get-the-terminator-skins-in-call-of-duty-vanguard-and-warzone |website=Dot Esports |access-date=May 5, 2024 |date=August 3, 2022}}</ref> Both characters also make a parody appearance in the 2015 comedy film ''[[Hollywood Adventures]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tsui |first=Clarence |title='Hollywood Adventures' ('Heng Chong Zhi Zhuang Hao Lai Wu'): Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hollywood-adventures-heng-chong-zhi-805305/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 5, 2024 |date=June 26, 2015}}</ref>

==Production background==
The Terminator concept was conceived by [[James Cameron]], who directed and co-wrote the first film. It was produced by [[Gale Anne Hurd]] and released by [[Orion Pictures]] in 1984.<ref name=Yamato/> The character was inspired by a fever dream that Cameron had two years earlier, involving a metallic entity holding kitchen knives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-terminator/31391/why-the-terminator-is-a-horror-classic#ixzz38LjAc8Xn|title=Why The Terminator is a horror classic|last=Lambie|first=Ryan|work=[[Den of Geek]]|date=July 23, 2014|access-date=23 July 2014|archive-date=January 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107155042/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-terminator/31391/why-the-terminator-is-a-horror-classic#ixzz38LjAc8Xn|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Schwarzenegger 1984.jpg|thumb|left|[[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] in 1984]]
Orion executive [[Mike Medavoy]], in a phone call with Cameron, suggested that [[O. J. Simpson]] play the role of the Terminator, with [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] as [[Kyle Reese]]. Cameron later recalled: "Gale Hurd and I looked at each other like that was the stupidest thing we'd ever heard in our lives. And I told him on that phone call, 'It's not O.J. Simpson. We're not doing that.'" Cameron also felt that Schwarzenegger was wrong for the role of Reese and quickly found him to be ideal as the Terminator instead.<ref name=Yamato/>

According to Cameron, "Casting Arnold Schwarzenegger as our Terminator [...] shouldn't have worked. The guy is supposed to be an infiltration unit, and there's no way you wouldn't spot a Terminator in a crowd instantly if they all looked like Arnold. It made no sense whatsoever. But the beauty of movies is that they don't have to be logical. They just have to have plausibility."<ref name=Wired2009>{{cite magazine |title=Creator James Cameron on Terminator's Origins, Arnold as Robot, Machine Wars |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |last=Daly |first=Steve |date=March 23, 2009 |url=https://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/17-04/ff_cameron |archive-date=July 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727042523/http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/17-04/ff_cameron |url-status=live }}</ref>

Schwarzenegger prepared for the role with three months of weapons training.<ref>{{cite book
 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780307460318
 |url-access=registration
 |title=The Futurist: The Life and Films of James Cameron
 |last=Keegan
 |first=Rebecca Winters
 |publisher=Crown Publishers
 |page=41
 |year=2009
 |isbn=978-0-307-46031-8
 |location=New York, United States
 |access-date=May 6, 2024
 }}</ref> Cameron believed that Schwarzenegger's Austrian accent and deadpan delivery worked well in the film: "It had a strange synthesized quality, like they hadn't gotten the voice thing quite worked out."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1991/07/12/arnolds-schwarzeneggers-few-words/ |title=65 Words...And Arnold Was a Star |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |last1=Chase |first1=Donald |last2=Meyers |first2=Kate |date=July 12, 1991 |access-date=September 20, 2010 |archive-date=October 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007124503/http://www.ew.com/article/1991/07/12/arnolds-schwarzeneggers-few-words |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the Terminator's lines in the film, "[[I'll be back]]", became a popular catchphrase, although Schwarzenegger had difficulty saying it due to his accent.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Arnold Schwarzenegger Almost Ruined His Signature Catchphrase |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arnold-schwarzenegger-ill-be-back-video_n_1930644 |website=HuffPost |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=October 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srksXVEkfAs&t=540s |website=GQ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=October 29, 2019 |at=9:00}}</ref>

[[File:T-800 (Model 101).png|thumb|200px|right|Schwarzenegger in character for promotional art of ''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'']]
After finishing the first film, Schwarzenegger suggested to Cameron that they make a sequel.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=He's Big, He's Back, and He's Really a Pretty Nice Guy, Once You Get to Know Him |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1991/07/12/set-terminator-2 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401170341/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,314824,00.html |archive-date=April 1, 2007 |url-status=live |date=July 12, 1991}}</ref> An early idea for the next installment would have Schwarzenegger portraying two different T-800s from the future, one sent by Skynet to kill John Connor and the other sent by the resistance to protect him. However, co-writer [[William Wisher]] disliked the idea of identical Terminators fighting, which he found "boring". The antagonistic T-800 was eventually replaced by the [[T-1000]].<ref name=Ringer>{{cite web|first=Alan |last=Siegel|title=The Tin Man Gets His Heart: An Oral History of ''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' |url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2021/6/30/22555687/terminator-2-judgement-day-t2-oral-history |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |date= June 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110173254/https://www.theringer.com/movies/2021/6/30/22555687/terminator-2-judgement-day-t2-oral-history |archive-date=January 10, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| last=Shapiro| first=Marc |date=October 1991 | issue=171|pages=52–55|title=Writers in Judgment | magazine=[[Starlog]]|publisher= Starlog Group, Inc. |location=New York}}</ref> Schwarzenegger was initially hesitant about his role being switched to a protagonist for the sequel, an idea which Cameron devised in order to surprise audiences.<ref name=Ringer/> Schwarzenegger later said, "I was very pleased with the twist and the idea of making the Terminator not kill anybody and become more of a human being. It added a great touch of sensitivity and sweetness to the whole movie."<ref>{{cite web |last=Cooney |first=Jenny |title=The Making Of Terminator 2: Judgment Day |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/terminator-2-classic-feature/ |website=Empire |access-date=May 10, 2024 |date=September 1991}}</ref>

''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' was released in 1991, and produced another catchphrase for Schwarzenegger's character: "[[Hasta la vista, baby]]". Cameron had no involvement in the next two films.<ref name=Wired2009/> Schwarzenegger initially refused to star in a third film without the involvement of Cameron, who later advised Schwarzenegger to reconsider. He eventually agreed to reprise the role for ''Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines'', which was released in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|last=Downey|first=Ryan J.|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1459299/he-said-hed-be-back-schwarzenegger-talks-terminator-3/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209013708/http://www.mtv.com/news/1459299/he-said-hed-be-back-schwarzenegger-talks-terminator-3/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2015|title=He Said He'd Be Back — Schwarzenegger Talks 'Terminator 3'|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=December 26, 2002|access-date=May 6, 2024}}</ref> In the film, his character is depicted as an obsolete Terminator design compared with the [[T-X]]. Director [[Jonathan Mostow]] said, "It's always great if you can have your protagonist or hero be completely outmatched."<ref>{{cite web |last=Horn |first=John |date=June 29, 2003 |url=https://articles.latimes.com/2003/jun/29/entertainment/ca-horn29/2|title=Switching drivers|work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123414/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/jun/29/entertainment/ca-horn29/2 |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>

The films depict time travelers, including Terminators, as arriving from the future naked; the time machine is only capable of transporting organic material, preventing weapons and clothes from going through. Schwarzenegger, a bodybuilder, worked out daily to regain the same physique that he had during the previous films.<ref name=CR>{{cite web |title=About the Production |url=http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=2134 |work=CinemaReview.com |access-date=September 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031108094907/http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=2134 |archive-date=November 8, 2003 |pages=1–2}}</ref> He felt this was important: "Otherwise, people would say, 'He's lost it; he's all saggy and flabby,' and that would be all anyone would talk about it. I didn't want to be digitized, because someone would blab, and it would be in all the columns. So I just worked harder."<ref name=Chron>{{cite web |last=Lawson |first=Terry |title='T3' was almost the big movie that couldn't get made |url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/movies/article/T3-was-almost-the-big-movie-that-couldn-t-get-2125230.php |work=Knight Ridder Newspapers |date=July 1, 2003 |access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref> After filming started, Schwarzenegger continued to work out during lunch breaks. He enjoyed performing his own stunts, including for a vehicular chase sequence early in the film.<ref name=CR/>

In 2003, Schwarzenegger [[2003 California gubernatorial recall election|was elected]] as governor of California,<ref>{{cite news |author=Michael Fleming |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/will-he-be-back-1117910872/ |title=Will he be back? |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=September 23, 2004 |access-date=September 9, 2020 }}</ref> which prevented his return in 2009's ''Terminator Salvation''. However, the T-800 is featured briefly, with Schwarzenegger's likeness recreated through [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Michael Fleming |title=Digital Governator set for 'Terminator' |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 22, 2009 |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/news/digital-governator-set-for-terminator-1118002743/ |access-date=December 2, 2018 }}</ref> Cameron was consulted for 2015's ''Terminator Genisys'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Cook |first=Tommy |title=James Cameron Talks Terminator: Genesis and Spider-Man |url=https://collider.com/james-cameron-terminator-genesis-spider-man/ |website=Collider |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=June 1, 2014}}</ref> which featured the return of Schwarzenegger. His age is reflected in the film, with Cameron explaining to the filmmakers "that the outer covering (of the Terminator) was actually not synthetic, that it was organic and therefore could age."<ref>{{cite web |last=Orange |first=B. Alan |title=Terminator Genisys Aging T-800 Idea Came from James Cameron |url=https://movieweb.com/terminator-5-genisys-t-800-story-james-cameron/ |website=MovieWeb |access-date=May 10, 2024 |date=October 20, 2014}}</ref>

Cameron returned to the franchise for ''Terminator: Dark Fate'', released in 2019. He agreed to produce the film on the condition that Schwarzenegger return; other people involved in the project had suggested making the film without the actor.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sblendorio |first=Peter |title=James Cameron tells ''Daily News'' why he returned for ''Terminator: Dark Fate'' and teamed up again with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/ny-james-cameron-terminator-dark-fate-20191028-nagw7pmg45ev7oxqheqv6ap42q-story.html |access-date=October 29, 2019 |work=[[New York Daily News]] |date=October 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029180703/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/ny-james-cameron-terminator-dark-fate-20191028-nagw7pmg45ev7oxqheqv6ap42q-story.html |archive-date=October 29, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Zinski |first=Dan |title=James Cameron Wouldn't Return for ''Terminator 6'' Without Arnold Schwarzenegger |url=https://screenrant.com/james-cameron-terminator-dark-fate-arnold-schwarzenegger/ |work=[[Screen Rant]] |access-date=July 24, 2019 |date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610153914/https://screenrant.com/james-cameron-terminator-dark-fate-arnold-schwarzenegger/ |archive-date=June 10, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Schwarzenegger said, "I trained my ass off for the film. When you get to my age, you have to train twice as much to get the same result as you did 20 years ago."<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaye |first=Don |title=Terminator: Dark Fate Creates a New Future for the Franchise |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/terminator-dark-fate/282232/terminator-dark-fate-creates-new-future-franchise |website=Den of Geek |access-date=May 12, 2024 |date=July 16, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:T-800 endoskeleton (Terminator 2- Judgment Day).png|thumb|upright|Terminator endoskeleton built by [[Stan Winston]] for ''Terminator 2'' that created from the same molds used to build the originals for ''The Terminator'']]
For ''Dark Fate'', Cameron conceived the idea of a T-800 that is "just out there in this kind of limbo" for more than 20 years after carrying out an order, becoming more human "in the sense that he's evaluating the moral consequences of things that he did, that he was ordered to do back in his early days, and really kind of developing a consciousness and a conscience". Cameron found this iteration of the character more interesting than those featured in his first two films: "We've seen the Terminator that was programmed to be bad; you've seen the one that was programmed to be good, to be a protector. But in both cases, neither one of them have free will."<ref>{{cite web |last=Weintraub |first=Steve "Frosty" |title=Why James Cameron Didn't Want to Be on Set While ''Terminator: Dark Fate'' Was Filming |url=https://collider.com/james-cameron-terminator-dark-fate-interview/ |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023150036/https://collider.com/james-cameron-terminator-dark-fate-interview/ |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Another idea from Cameron was for the film's T-800 to run a drapery business,<ref>{{cite web |last=Ellefson |first=Lindsey |title=Schwarzenegger's 'Terminator': From Killing Machine to... Drapery Salesman? |url=https://www.thewrap.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-terminator-drapery-salesman/ |website=TheWrap |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=October 19, 2019}}</ref> referencing Schwarzenegger's real-life passion for interior decorating.<ref>{{cite web |last=Singer |first=Matt |title=Interview: Arnold Schwarzenegger on the Past, Present, and Many Futures of ''Terminator'' |url=https://screencrush.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-interview-terminator-dark-fate/ |work=[[ScreenCrush]] |access-date=October 31, 2019 |date=October 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030154917/https://screencrush.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-interview-terminator-dark-fate/ |archive-date=October 30, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger's ''Terminator'' life lessons: 'Women love it when you listen' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/10/30/terminator-dark-fate-arnold-schwarzenegger-trump-diapers-interior-design/2500036001/ |access-date=October 31, 2019 |work=USA Today |date=October 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031073247/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/10/30/terminator-dark-fate-arnold-schwarzenegger-trump-diapers-interior-design/2500036001/ |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lussier |first=Germain |title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Doesn't Care That ''Terminator: Dark Fate'' Ignores Previous Films He Was In |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-doesnt-care-that-terminator-dark-1839400170 |work=io9 |access-date=October 31, 2019 |date=October 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031035836/https://io9.gizmodo.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-doesnt-care-that-terminator-dark-1839400170 |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Effects===
Aside from Schwarzenegger, the Terminator has also been depicted through the use of various effects. Cameron worked with effects artist [[Stan Winston]] to design the Terminator's metal endoskeleton.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cameron |first=James |title=Terminator's real daddy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/nov/17/1 |access-date=May 10, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=November 17, 2006}}</ref> Winston created a full-scale model of the endoskeleton for the first film, while effects artist [[Gene Warren Jr.]] built a [[stop motion]] version for a sequence near the film's ending, in which it pursues Sarah and Kyle.<ref>{{cite book |last=French |first=Sean |title=The Terminator |date=2021 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-83902-214-2 |pages=28–29 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iRAYEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA29 |access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Torp Jensen |first=Allan |title=Terminator: The Story of a Movie Franchise |url=https://www.vfxwire.com/terminator-the-story-of-a-movie-franchise/ |website=VFXwire |access-date=May 10, 2024 |date=June 26, 2019}}</ref>

Winston returned to do endoskeleton work for the next two films.<ref>{{cite web |title=Terminator 2: Judgment Day's T-800 - An Interview with Stan Winston |url=https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/blog/terminator-2-judgment-day-t-800-effects-part-1 |website=Stan Winston School of Character Arts |access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref><ref name=IGN2003/> Molds of the original endoskeleton were used to create four new ones for ''Terminator 2'', including two non-articulate versions and two others capable of movement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Terminator 2: Judgement Day - The New T-800s |url=https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/blog/terminator-2-judgement-day-t-800-endoskeletons |website=Stan Winston School of Character Arts |access-date=May 10, 2024}}</ref> As in previous films, the character is again badly injured near the end of ''Terminator 3'', this time revealing more of his metal interior than before. Winston achieved this look through the use of prosthetics and CGI.<ref name=IGN2003>{{cite news |title=An Interview with Stan Winston |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/427/427029p1.html |work=IGN |date=July 2, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316011459/http://movies.ign.com/articles/427/427029p1.html |archive-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref> Full-scale endoskeleton models were made for the film, but only as a reference for digital artists.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hart |first=Hugh |title=For Sale: Stan Winston's Terminators, Other Sci-Fi Memorabilia |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/09/stan-winstons-terminators-sci-fi-memorabilia/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=May 10, 2024 |date=September 30, 2009}}</ref>

For the T-800's appearance in ''Terminator Salvation'', the character is depicted by bodybuilder [[Roland Kickinger]], with Schwarzenegger's face superimposed on his during [[post-production]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Ben Forrest|title='Terminator' actor visits Goderich area|work=[[Clinton News-Record]]|date=July 16, 2008|url=http://www.clintonnewsrecord.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1117058|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730084620/http://www.clintonnewsrecord.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1117058|archive-date=July 30, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Fred Topel|title=How McG made that T-800 at the end of Terminator Salvation|work=[[Sci Fi Wire]]|date=May 15, 2009|url=http://scifiwire.com/2009/05/how-mcg-made-that-t-800-a.php|archive-date=May 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518080945/http://scifiwire.com/2009/05/how-mcg-made-that-t-800-a.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another bodybuilder, Brett Azar, served as Schwarzenegger's body double in ''Terminator Genisys'', portraying the younger Terminator who battles with Pops. [[Moving Picture Company]] looked through archive footage of young Schwarzenegger and digitally placed his face onto Azar's body.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.businessinsider.com/terminator-genisys-arnold-schwarzenegger-body-double-2015-6 |title=Meet the bodybuilder who plays Arnold Schwarzenegger's body double in ''Terminator Genisys'' |work=Business Insider |last=Acuna |first=Kirsten |date=June 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |title='Terminator: Genisys:' A CG Schwarzenegger Is the Latest in Hollywood's Work Toward Digital Humans |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/terminator-genisys-a-cg-schwarzenegger-806508/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 5, 2024 |date=July 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/01/terminator-genisys-building-young-arnold|title=Terminator Genisys: Re-creating 1984 Arnold Schwarzenegger for the summer's coolest fight scene|work=EW.com| first=Nicole|last=Sperling|date=July 1, 2015|access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bishop |first=Brian |title=How the director of Terminator Genisys recreated James Cameron's 1984; 'The best compliment would be a lawsuit.' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/2/8874735/terminator-genisys-movie-director-alan-taylor-interview |work=The Verge |date=July 2, 2015 |access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref> Azar returned as body double for the opening scene in ''Terminator: Dark Fate'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Ryan |title=Terminator 6 Brings in Young Schwarzenegger Actor from Terminator Genisys |url=https://movieweb.com/terminator-6-cast-brett-azar-young-t-800-actor/ |work=[[MovieWeb]] |date=May 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111000048/https://movieweb.com/terminator-6-cast-brett-azar-young-t-800-actor/ |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rahway's Brett Azar is back in 'Terminator: Dark Fate' |url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/how-we-live/2019/10/30/rahways-brett-azar-back-terminator-dark-fate/4056007002/ |access-date=May 12, 2024 |work=Courier News |date=October 30, 2019}}</ref> with [[de-aging]] techniques used by [[Industrial Light & Magic]] to add a younger version of Schwarzenegger's face.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guerrasio |first=Jason |title=How de-aging tech was used in the shocking opening of ''Terminator: Dark Fate'' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-de-aging-tech-worked-in-terminator-dark-fate-opening-2019-11 |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105133156/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-de-aging-tech-worked-in-terminator-dark-fate-opening-2019-11 |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |title=How 'Dark Fate' Visual Effects Team Brought 'Terminator' Stars Back to the '90s |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/how-dark-fates-visual-effects-team-brought-terminator-stars-back-90s-1265258 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 12, 2024 |date=January 1, 2020}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical response===
The first ''Terminator'' film was an unexpected success, and Schwarzenegger's eponymous character would go on to become his best-known role.<ref name=Yamato>{{Cite news |last=Yamato |first=Jen |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-10-25/o-j-simpson-terminator-james-cameron-arnold-schwarzenegger |title=James Cameron debunks that O.J. Simpson 'Terminator' painting myth: 'Arnold is wrong' |date=October 25, 2019 |access-date=May 6, 2024|work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.tvguide.com/terminator/review/119990 |work=[[TV Guide]] |title=The Terminator: Review |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202121540/http://movies.tvguide.com/terminator/review/119990 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to Clark Collis of ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'', mainstream audiences had previously viewed Schwarzenegger as "little more than a joke, a mumbling behemoth whose grasp of both acting and the English language, appeared minimal at best."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=132648 |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |title=Empire Essay: The Terminator |access-date=September 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927235924/http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=132648 |archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' found the character to be "perfectly cast",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117795542.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&query=the+terminator&display=the+terminator |title=The Terminator Review |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 31, 1983 |archive-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829021737/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117795542.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&query=the+terminator&display=the+terminator |url-status=live }}</ref> while [[Colin Greenland]] of ''[[Imagine (game magazine)|Imagine]]'' called Schwarzenegger "eerily wonderful as the unstoppable cyborg."<ref>{{cite journal | last = Greenland|first = Colin |author-link=Colin Greenland| title =Fantasy Media  | type = review | journal = [[Imagine (AD&D magazine)|Imagine]] | issue = 25| pages =47 | publisher = TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd. |date=April 1985| issn = }}</ref> Marc Weinberg of ''[[Orange Coast (magazine)|Orange Coast]]'' wrote that it was "great to see such a pure, unstoppable villain [...]. The filmmakers make no attempt to humanize him with weaknesses or emotions."<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EBYEAAAAMBAJ&q=The+Terminator |journal=[[Orange Coast Magazine]] |publisher=Emmis Communications |volume=10 |issue=11 |date=November 1984 |title=Brian DePalma's Sleaze Factor |last=Weinberg |first=Marc |page=141 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114044531/https://books.google.com/books?id=EBYEAAAAMBAJ&dq=The+Terminator&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[David Ansen]] of ''[[Newsweek]]'' felt that Schwarzenegger was "born to play a machine," writing about ''Terminator 2'', "Here, as an emotionless cyborg acting out the part of a foster father, he's impressive, hilarious, almost touching."<ref>{{cite web|first=David |last=Ansen |authorlink=David Ansen |title=Conan The Humanitarian |url=https://www.newsweek.com/conan-humanitarian-205026 |website=[[Newsweek]] |date=July 7, 1991 |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629084118/https://www.newsweek.com/conan-humanitarian-205026 |url-status=live}}</ref> Likewise, [[Hal Hinson]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' found his "wooden" performance ideal for the role: "It's comical, perhaps, but Schwarzenegger expresses more of his own humanity when playing a machine than he does when playing real people. [...] For once, he's ideally cast, and he brings the kind of delicacy of feeling that [[Boris Karloff]] showed as the [[Frankenstein monster]]. As a machine, he has soul."<ref name=Hinson>{{cite news|first=Hal |last=Hinson |authorlink=Hal Hinson |title=''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' (R) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/terminator2judgmentdayrhinson_a0a6c4.htm |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date= July 3, 1991 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908014620/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/terminator2judgmentdayrhinson_a0a6c4.htm |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}</ref>

In his review of ''Terminator 3'', [[Mike Clark (critic)|Mike Clark]] of ''[[USA Today]]'' wrote that Schwarzenegger "still looks spectacular, but the script is short on deadpan zingers, and his heart doesn't seem in it."<ref>{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Mike |title=Schwarzenegger is back, barely, in 'Terminator 3' |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-07-01-terminator_x.htm |work=USA Today |date=July 3, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704024708/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-07-01-terminator_x.htm |archive-date=July 4, 2003}}</ref> [[Nathan Rabin]] of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' wrote: "Like [[Anthony Hopkins]]' [[Hannibal Lecter]], Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator has been spoofed, ripped off, and paid homage far too often to retain much of its original menace. Refreshingly, Mostow and company seem to understand that, and smartly use him as a comic figure".<ref>{{cite web |last=Rabin |first=Nathan |title=Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines |url=https://www.avclub.com/terminator-3-rise-of-the-machines-1798198763 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=May 9, 2024 |date=30 June 2003}}</ref> [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''Variety'' felt that this Terminator's "physical inferiority to his opponent [the T-X] invests Schwarzenegger with an unaccustomed underdog status that brings him closer to the viewer."<ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |title=Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/terminator-3-rise-of-the-machines-1200540754/ |website=Variety |access-date=May 9, 2024 |date=June 30, 2003}}</ref>

Some critics considered ''Terminator Salvation'' to be disappointing, citing Schwarzenegger's absence.<ref>{{cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |title=There's little to salvage from this 'Terminator' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-05-19-terminator-salvation_N.htm |work=USA Today |date=May 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523161936/https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-05-19-terminator-salvation_N.htm |archive-date=May 23, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rechtshaffen |first=Michael |title=Film Review: 'Terminator Salvation' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 17, 2009 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/film-review-terminator-salvation-1003973886.story |archive-date=May 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521080714/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/film-review-terminator-salvation-1003973886.story |url-status=dead }}</ref> Critic [[James Berardinelli]] found that it lacks a strong antagonist until the T-800's brief appearance near the end, calling it the film's high point.<ref>{{cite web |last=Berardinelli |first=James |title=Terminator: Salvation |url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=1642 |website=Reelviews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013190725/http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=1642 |archive-date=October 13, 2011 |date=May 19, 2009}}</ref> ''Terminator Genisys'' received generally negative reviews, although Schwarzenegger's return was praised.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nakamura |first=Reid |title='Terminator Genisys' Reviews: Critics Nostalgic, Bored Over Reboot |url=https://www.thewrap.com/terminator-genisys-reviews-critics-nostalgic-bored-over-reboot/ |website=TheWrap |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=June 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Gettell |first=Oliver |title='Terminator Genisys': Schwarzenegger can't save messy sequel, reviews say |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-terminator-genisys-arnold-schwarzenegger-movie-reviews-critics-20150630-story.html |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lawson |first=Richard |title=Terminator Genisys Makes a Surprisingly Compelling Case for Itself |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/terminator-genisys-review |magazine=Vanity Fair |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>

Reviewing ''Terminator: Dark Fate'', Angie Han of ''[[Mashable]]'' found Schwarzenegger to be the film's best aspect: "His deadpan delivery makes him distinctive, while the performance beneath it suggests an interiority deeper and more complicated than even the character himself seems able to comprehend."<ref>{{cite web |last=Han |first=Angie |title=''Terminator: Dark Fate'' is a robotic rehash of familiar beats |url=https://mashable.com/article/terminator-dark-fate-movie-review/ |work=[[Mashable]] |date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101145912/https://mashable.com/article/terminator-dark-fate-movie-review/ |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> David Ehrlich of ''[[IndieWire]]'' wrote that the character "is smartly written, funny in a way 'Dark Fate' struggles to be without him, and perhaps the most fundamentally human character the franchise has ever seen."<ref>{{cite web |last=Ehrlich |first=David |title=''Terminator: Dark Fate'' Review: This Isn't the Worst ''Terminator'' Movie, but It Should Definitely Be the Last One |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/10/terminator-dark-fate-review-1202183832/ |work=[[IndieWire]] |date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024072542/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/10/terminator-dark-fate-review-1202183832/ |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Richard Roeper]], writing for the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', stated, "It's impossible not to laugh at some of the Terminator's one-liners, but now it's as if he's in on the joke."<ref name="Roeper">{{cite web |last=Roeper |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Roeper |title=Too much deja vu makes ''Terminator: Dark Fate'' a boring retread |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/10/30/20940088/terminator-dark-fate-review-boring-retread-of-previous-plots-arnold-schwarzenegger |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |access-date=November 1, 2019 |date=October 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031143426/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/10/30/20940088/terminator-dark-fate-review-boring-retread-of-previous-plots-arnold-schwarzenegger |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' felt that Schwarzenegger was reprising "a character I always thought was fundamentally wrong: the nice Terminator, the Terminator on the side of the angels".<ref>{{cite web |author1=Peter Bradshaw |author1-link=Peter Bradshaw |title=Terminator: Dark Fate review – Arnie's back, and it's never going to stop |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/23/terminator-dark-fate-review-james-cameron-linda-hamilton-arnold-schwarzenegger-cyborg |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=October 23, 2019 |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127052652/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/23/terminator-dark-fate-review-james-cameron-linda-hamilton-arnold-schwarzenegger-cyborg |url-status=live }}</ref> Likewise, Cathal Gunning of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' believed that the character, once a threatening antagonist, had been "ruined" by repeated humanization attempts throughout the film series.<ref name=Ruined>{{cite web |last=Gunning |first=Cathal |title=The Evolution Of The T-800: How Terminator Movies Ruined An Icon |url=https://screenrant.com/terminator-t800-arnie-franchise-devolution-genisys-salvation-explained/ |website=ScreenRant |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=October 10, 2021}}</ref>

===Accolades===
Schwarzenegger was nominated twice for the [[Saturn Award for Best Actor]], for his characters in ''The Terminator'' and ''Terminator 2''.<ref>{{cite news |title=1984 12th Saturn Awards |url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1984/1984sat.htm |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017175629/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1984/1984sat.htm |archive-date=October 17, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=1991 18th Saturn Awards |url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1991/1991sat.htm |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060213004457/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1991/1991sat.htm |archive-date=February 13, 2006}}</ref> For the latter film, he also won Best Male Performance at the [[1992 MTV Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |title=A look back at 1992 and the first annual MTV Movie Awards |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/with-tonights-mtv-movie-awards-on-the-way-a-look-back-at-1992-and-the-first-annual/ |website=Uproxx |access-date=May 11, 2024 |date=June 3, 2012}}</ref>

In a 2003 list of [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains|100 Heroes & Villains]] by the [[American Film Institute]], the Terminator took two positions — number 48 as the hero and number 22 as the villain.<ref>{{cite web |title=AFI's 100 Years…100 Heroes & Villains |url=https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-heroes-villians/ |website=American Film Institute |access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> Schwarzenegger himself presented the list on television, and said about his rankings, "I am absolutely ecstatic about it. To say you are one of the 50 favorite villains and one of the 50 favorite heroes in the history of American motion pictures, that is unbelievable, and I felt very honored."<ref>{{cite news |title=Filmdom's Top Goodies, Baddies |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/filmdoms-top-goodies-baddies/ |access-date=May 5, 2024 |work=CBS News |date=June 4, 2003}}</ref>

In 2015, the Terminator ranked 28th in ''Empire'''s rating of 100 Greatest Film Characters.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 Greatest Movie Characters |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100-greatest-movie-characters/ |website=Empire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101035743/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100-greatest-movie-characters/ |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |date=November 4, 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}

{{Terminator}}
{{James Cameron}}
{{Arnold Schwarzenegger}}
{{Mortal Kombat}}
{{Subject bar|portal1=1980s|portal2=Science fiction|commons=yes}}

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