In 2019, Terminator: Dark Fate faced challenges upon its release, including lackluster box office performance. One of the contentious aspects was the early demise of Edward Furlong's character, John Connor, which left fans disappointed. Five years later, Furlong shared his candid thoughts on this decision during a recent podcast interview.
Furlong, known for his role as John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reprise his iconic character after overcoming addiction issues. He recalled being called in for motion capture work and learning that his character would be killed off at the beginning of Dark Fate. Despite initial mixed feelings, Furlong appreciated the chance to briefly revisit the role.
Terminator: Dark Fate was anticipated as a legacy sequel, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton returning to their roles. Furlong's involvement added to the excitement, but the unexpected early death of John Connor sparked controversy among fans. Given John's significance in previous films as the leader of the human resistance, his abrupt exit was met with criticism.
The film's underwhelming box office performance, despite receiving decent reviews, further compounded its challenges. Terminator: Dark Fate grossed only $62.3 million domestically and $261.1 million worldwide, falling short of breaking even due to high marketing costs. Paramount Pictures and Skydance reportedly incurred a loss of $122.6 million.
Reflecting on his experience, Furlong acknowledged the complexities of reprising his role in a franchise with a devoted fan base. While the fate of John Connor in Dark Fate may have been divisive, it remains a notable chapter in the Terminator series.
