I think the current issue with the franchise is simply establishing a direction forward. Salvation was an attempt at a new story and a new franchise. It wasn't as successful or well-received as they wanted, and it fell short of expectations. This led executives to hesitate to continue that story, or start a new one, and instead we get a film now that seems to be safe: packed with as many "old" terminator names/references to get general audiences into the seats. It's Arnold, and Sarah/John Conner are there, and there's action. I don't want to call it a cash-grab, or outright dismiss it, it's just that's the feeling i'm left with. I just sense that the franchise needs a Blomkamp-type, not talking in terms of directorial style/quality, but in terms of passion/love for the franchise as he has for Alien... someone invested in the series as a fan, to come to the studio with a definite idea that's a step forward, or that feeds into the mythology well, or that is a conclusion to the existing story arc. Someone who understands what made the first two films great, and wants to recreate that feeling for fans but in a new and exciting way. Arnold is the terminator for me, always will be I think, but I don't think he should be in this. The longer he plays the character, the more it diminishes my memory of his iconic role. The more they attempt to add to/change/extend the original two films story, the more damage they are doing.
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