Joss Whedon to Buy Terminator Franchise?

The financial troubles of Halycon, the production company who own the rights to the Terminator franchise, have been well documented. They owe close to $30 million to various companies and as a result, they are being forced to auction off their most prized asset, the Terminator franchise. Now it appears Joss Whedon is riding in on his white horse to save the franchise, writing a letter to the people of Halycon.

Whedon is known for creating popular, yet not so successful media (see Firefly) that draws a rabid fan base once the show has been canned (see Firefly again). He is also capable of capturing both male and female audiences with his largely action based shows and movies due to his casting choices and character development. Anyway, back to the point of this story, it appears that Whedon, in writing to his own website, has made an offer for the Terminator franchise, a cool $10,000, while offering up some ideas to revitalize a series that some pundits have declared dead. Read on and find out what crazy ideas the creator of Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog, Buffy and Angel has for our favorite futuristic machine world where humanity is all but extinct. (Yes the author of this article realizes Whedon is joking and employing much tongue-in-cheek writing with this letter but thought the seriousness of his own post would add to the humor).

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. 

I do like his assertion that the movies will stop getting less cool and I hope whoever does end up with the franchise at least implements that promise.