TAFs INTERVIEW: ANDY & MARIO ARE BACK!
T3 producers hint at "T4" & more!
Reported By: Randy Jennings
Friday, March 26, 2004

It already feels like a decade ago since "T3: Rise of the Machines" was release - due to our hunger for a "T4". The majority of fans were pleased that T3 fit well with the other two films but we do have many questions still and we were all hoping some answers would give us a better understanding and some closure... until T4. This is why I approached Terminator producers Andy Vajna and Mario Kassar.

Andy and Mario agree to an email interview and within just a few days, all of our questions are answered. Hmmm, well, at least they arrived with their own answers they felt most comfortable giving. Unfortunately, I was told that the producers would not take "Terminator 4" questions at this time. Let's think of this interview as for "Terminator 3.5".

TAFs: Most fans felt T3 was good but if it just had a longer fight at the end and longer future battles in the beginning that it could have been the best of the three. Mostow said recently that if he had an extra 50 million dollars that he could go back in and reshoot scenes to give the fans a new theatrical release - just for the fans. It would have a new theatrical release or video release but would be marketed as T3.5 with all new footage and perhaps be re-titled: "The Rise of the Fans". What do you think of Mostow's proposed idea to give the fans their "perfect" T3? How involved would you both like to be?

Mario K.: Most creative people look back on their work and wish they could have added or changed something. But we are all happy with the way T3 turned out, and we are looking ahead to the future by concentrating our energies on the next installment of the franchise.

 TAFs: T3 did great overseas and proved again to be a successful franchise. What was the worldwide box office projected goal until you would know a T4 would be made? T3 made 430 million. If it made 300 mill, would T4 still be made? What was the goal in millions to know you had a hit?

Mario K.: We are pleased with how well the film performed, but the financial aspect is not the only factor in our decision to continue with the franchise. The most important thing is to create the best possible story for the Terminator fans.

 TAFs: How much has T3 made from DVD, video sales, Pay-per-view, etc.?

Mario K.: T3 has grossed $250,000,000 to date from DVD/Video; it's too early to know how much the film will gross from pay-per-view.

 TAFs: Can you please tell us about some other film projects you are both working on? I head something of a sci-fi fantasy film. How is this going?

Mario K.: "Evermere" is an epic fantasy adventure to be directed by John Herzfeld that Andy and I will produce for Sony Pictures, in addition to other films in our production slate that we will announce shortly.

 TAFs: Has Arnold ever told you he's still be interested in doing the film "Crusade" even if it means he would be in his late 50s or early 60s once his Gov term is up? If Arnold did want to do Crusade, would you be on board and support this project again?

Andy V.: Prior to him becoming Governor he was interested in doing Crusade, but now I believe his movie career is on hold.

 TAFs: Can you tell us about some of the deleted scenes that did not make it into T3? For instance, was there ever some additional future war sequences shot or scenes that could not be filmed due to lack of funding? What were these scenes?

Andy V.: Only one scene didn't make it to the film (the Sergeant Candy scene), but can be seen on the DVD as a special item and in the video game. There were a lot of early ideas about a variety of different action scenes, but the final version of the script was as we shot it.

 TAFs: According to the T3 contract we all heard of, all the cast signed a contract stating that they MUST come back if T3 was a success. It was a success but Arnold dropped his film career Governor. Does this mean he broke the contract and has to pay a fine?

Unanswered.

TAFs: How did it feel to reunite with Arnold once again making Terminator 3 and are you excited to work with him again as a cyborg in the near future?

Andy V.: It was a great experience to rekindle the franchise with Arnold in the lead. HE is the Terminator, and you can be sure that both Mario and I would love to work with him again.

 TAFs: I felt Nick Stahl stole the movie. Will you be working with any of the T3 actors again?

Andy V.: We have deals with Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, and Kristanna Loken for a future film, but it is the story that will finally dictate who returns.

 Well, there you have it Arnold fans. So, in summary, what have we learned from this interview? Number ONE, Andy and Mario would most likely not be involved with "T3.5: Rise of the Fans" in order to focus on "Terminator 4". And TWO, That "T3: Rise of the Machines" has made 250 MILLION dollars in video and DVD sales!!! Exactly!

INTERVIEW TRANSMISSION: TERMINATED