Terminator Zero (originally known as Terminator: The Anime Series) is an upcoming science-fiction action anime series developed by Mattson Tomlin and set in the Terminator universe. The eight-episode show was produced for Netflix by animation studio Production I.G and Skydance Television under the direction of Masashi Kudō. It is based on the Terminator franchise created by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd.
Terminator Zero | |
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Based on | |
Showrunner | Mattson Tomlin |
Written by | Mattson Tomlin |
Directed by | Masashi Kudō |
Voices of | |
Country of origin |
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Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Production companies | |
Original release | |
Network | Netflix |
It is scheduled for release on August 29, 2024, on Netflix.
Premise
editSet in 1990s Japan, Malcolm Lee has been developing another AI system that is intended to compete with Skynet. As Judgment Day approaches in 1997, Lee finds himself and his three children pursued by an unknown robot assassin, and a mysterious soldier from the year 2022 has been sent to protect him.[1]
Characters
edit- The Terminator (voiced by Timothy Olyphant):[2] a cybernetic assassin sent back in time to eliminate Malcolm Lee.
- Malcolm Lee (voiced by André Holland): a scientist developing an AI that competes with Skynet.
- Eiko (voiced by Sonoya Mizuno): a resistance soldier sent from the year 2022 to protect Malcolm and his kids from the Terminator and to prevent Kokoro from being launched.
- Kokoro (voiced by Rosario Dawson): an AI developed by Malcolm Lee, who is Japan’s answer to Skynet.
- The Prophet (voiced by Ann Dowd): the Resistance’s spiritual and philosophical leader.
Production
editAn anime series set in the Terminator universe was first announced in February 2021. The anime was produced for Netflix by animation studio Production I.G and Skydance Television, coming from showrunner Mattson Tomlin and director Masashi Kudō.[3] The show further developed with the working title Terminator: The Anime Series as revealed by Netflix in its 2023 Geeked Week when it announced the premise of following new characters in the year 1997.[4]
Tomlin has stated that the series treats all of the prior films as canon, and Production I.G. requested that it have some kind of Japanese component. The decision was to set the story in Japan, which then precluded using any guns as weapons in the show.[5]
Casting
editBy June 2024, Timothy Olyphant was cast to voice the Terminator for the series,[2] and additional character photos were first revealed with the voices of Rosario Dawson, André Holland, Sonoya Mizuno, and Ann Dowd.[6]
Release
editThe show is set to run for eight episodes, releasing on August 29, 2024, coinciding with Judgment Day.[7]
On August 8, 2024, all episodes of the series were leaked online before its official release.[8]
References
edit- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (May 15, 2024). "First Look: Terminator Zero Animated Series Coming to Netflix in August". Animation Magazine.
- ^ a b White, Peter (June 6, 2024). "Timothy Olyphant To Voice Terminator In Animated Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (February 26, 2021). "Terminator Anime Series in the Works with The Batman Co-Writer Mattson Tomlin". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022.
- ^ Earl, William (November 11, 2023). "Terminator: The Anime Series Headed to Netflix". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
- ^ Romano, Nick (May 15, 2024). "Terminator Zero exclusive first look takes the sci-fi saga to Tokyo". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Romano, Nick (June 27, 2024). "Terminator Zero casts Rosario Dawson, House of the Dragon star, and more (exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Wes (May 15, 2024). "Netflix's Terminator Zero anime starts streaming in August". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Colbert, Isaiah (2024-08-07). "Every Episode of Terminator Zero Leaks Online Ahead of Its Release on Netflix". IGN. Retrieved 2024-08-08.