Terminator Genisys Opens Big in China, Sequel Still Possible?

Terminator Genisysbombed in the states, pulling in just $89 million against a $155 million budget. It couldn’t even crack thenumber oneposition at the domestic box office during its opening weekend, losing out to holdoversJurassic WorldandInside Out. Things looked bleak for its sequel prospects, even thoughArnold Schwarzeneggerhas assured everyone that he will be back for two more franchise installments, setting this latest endeavor up as atrilogy. Well, that may prove to be true yet, as Terminator Genisys opens big at the Chinese box office.

To date, Terminator Genisys has earned $264 million at the foreign box office, placing its worldwide cume at $353 million. Now, in its first day of Chinese release, the film has generated enough interest to thrust it back to the #1 spot on the international weekend charts. The quasi-sequel/reboothasn’t been able to hold down that position since early July.

Its first day of release in China pulled in an estimated $27.4 million from 25,000 screens. This includes all midnight shows, which managed to earn $2.2 million. That is the 4th highest score of all-time. This also arrives as the 4th biggest opening day of all time for a Hollywood movie in China, placing it behind this year’sFurious 7, andAvengers: Age of Ultron, and last year’sTransformers: Age of Extinction. This also marks Paramount’s 2nd biggest opening in the region, behindTransformers 4.

Terminator Genisys is the firstHollywood moviereleased in China since the so-called ‘summer blackout’, where the country keeps all foreign films off screens for several weeks so that all local movies get a chance to shine at the box office. Helping to ensure big numbers when it finally did open,Arnold Schwarzeneggerarrived in China to heavily promote the movie. He even appeared on the localized version ofThe Voice, generating enough buzz to push his new film to the top of the International charts.

Will the Chinese box office be enough to ensure that we see a sequel to Terminator Genisys? 10 months before its release in domestic theaters, Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions announced thatTerminator Genysis 2would be arriving in 2017, followed byTerminator Genysis 3in 2018. Skydance paid over $20 million for the franchise rights back in 2011, and also announced plans for a TV series. But once the film flopped, plans for both the sequels and show went into limbo. China was the last market left for the movie to open in. And some believed if it underperformed in this important market, this version of the franchise was doomed.

Just over 70 percent of Terminator Genisys' worldwide haul is from international territories, which is becoming increasingly important as studios decide which movies should get sequels or not. For example,Pacific Rimonly made $101 million domestically in 2013, but its international tally of $309.2 million ensured the green light forPacific Rim 2, hitting theaters in August 2017. It isn’t yet known if directorAlan Tayloror screenwriters Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier will return to make the potential Terminator Genisys sequels. Though its likely that the rest of the main cast will return if a sequel does happen, which, aside fromArnold Schwarzenegger, includesEmilia Clarkeas Sarah Conner andJai Courtneyas Kyle Reese.

We’ll have to wait and see how Terminator Genisys continues to perform in China. The home market will be important too, in deciding wether or not Paramount wants to move forward with its two proposed sequels and the TV show. What do you think? Do you hope this version of the franchise continues? Or is it already in need of a new reboot? Or should the plug just be pulled altogether?