Picture: Terminator – Production I.G / Skydance
First announced in 2021, the animated Terminator series Terminator Zero is coming to Netflix in August 2024.
Terminator Zero is an upcoming Netflix Original anime series directed by Masashi Kudo and written by Mattson Tomlin.
Production I.G. is the animation studio behind the series, and it previously collaborated with Netflix on B—The Beginning.
Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, President and CEO of Production I.G had the following to say when the series was first unveiled;
“I asked my long-time friend and colleague Mamoru Oshii what he thought about the idea of turning the Terminator into an animated series. His response was, “Ishikawa, are you out of your mind?” At that instant, I was confident we should get on board. As huge fans, our team at Production I.G. is putting their heart and souls into creating this series. We hope fans will enjoy it!”
Picture: Terminator – Production I.G / Skydance
Mattson Tomlin, the showrunner, executive producer, and writer of the series, had the following to say about the Terminator anime series in 2021:
“Anyone who knows my writing knows I believe in taking big swings and going for the heart. I’m honored that Netflix and Skydance have given me the opportunity to approach Terminator in a way that breaks conventions, subverts expectations and has real guts.”
Lastly, John Derderian, Netflix’s Vice President of Animation Series, had the following to say about the project:
“Terminator is one of the most iconic sci-fi stories ever created and has only grown more relevant to our world over time. The new animated series will explore this universe in a way that has never been done before. We can’t wait for fans to experience this amazing new chapter in the epic battle between machines and humans.”
Picture: Terminator – Production I.G / Skydance
When is Terminator Zero coming to Netflix?
It has been revealed that Terminator Zero will debut on Netflix on Thursday, August 29th, 2024.
Picture: Terminator – Production I.G / Skydance
What is the plot of Terminator Zero?
Synopsis for Terminator: The Anime Series has been provided by Netflix:
“2022: A future war has raged for decades between the few human survivors and an endless army of machines. 1997: The AI known as Skynet gained self-awareness and began its war against humanity. Caught between the future and this past is a soldier sent back in time to change the fate of humanity. She arrives in 1997 to protect a scientist named Malcolm Lee who works to launch a new AI system designed to compete with Skynet’s impending attack on humanity. As Malcolm navigates the moral complexities of his creation, he is hunted by an unrelenting assassin from the future which forever alters the fate of his three
children.”
Picture: Terminator – Production I.G / Skydance
Who are the cast members of Terminator Zero?
So far, five cast members have been confirmed;
Timothy Olyphant will play the Terminator. The actor previously starred in the Netflix horror-comedy Santa Clarita Diet, and in The Starling as Travis Delp. Disney+ subscribers will be familiar with Olyphant and his role as Cobb Vanth in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
Rosario Dawson plays the role of Kokoro. The actress previously starred on Netflix in the Marvel Netflix series as Claire Temple. She also provided the voice of Rezzoch in The Last Kids on Earth, A37 in Eden, as Dr. Mirny in Love, Death & Robots episode Swarm.
We also have a character description for Kokoro;
“An advanced AI and Japan’s answer to Skynet, if brought online, Kokoro will be endowed with the same power as Skynet. Kokoro must calculate for itself: is humanity the plague Skynet believes? Or are human beings worth saving?”
Picture: Kokoro (left) and Rosario Dawson (right)
André Holland plays the role of Malcolm Lee. The actor has starred in two Netflix Originals as Walter Fauntroy in Shirley and as Ray Burke in High Flying Bird.
We also have a character description for Malcolm Lee;
“A genius computer programmer and father of three, Malcolm Lee is haunted by prophetic nightmares of an apocalyptic future. He’s spent the last decade creating a secret artificial intelligence that he believes will be humanity’s last hope.”
Picture: Malcolm Lee (left) and Andre Holland (right)
Sonoya Mizuno plays the role of Eiko. The actress will be familiar to House of the Dragon fans as Mysaria ‘The White Worm.’ She previously starred in the Netflix Original limited series Maniac as Dr. Azumi Fujita.
We also have a character description for Eiko;
“Coming from a post-Judgement Day 2022, Eiko is a resistance fighter sent back in time to stop Malcolm from launching Kokoro.”
Picture: Eiko (left) and Sonoya Mizuno (right)
Ann Dowd plays the Prophet. Thanks to her role as Aunt Lydia Clements in The Handmaid’s Tale, she strikes fear into the hearts of many.
We also have a character description for The Prophet;
“In the future, the Prophet is the philosophical guide for the human resistance, a light shepherding survivors in the darkness of the unknown future ahead.”
Picture: The Prophet (left) and Anna Dowd (right)
What is the episode count?
It has been confirmed that there will be a total of eight episodes. However, run times have yet to be confirmed.
Picture: Terminator – Production I.G / Skydance
Are you looking forward to watching Terminator: The Series on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!