‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ First Footage Shows Sarah Connor Back in Action, Earns Huge Applause

After striking out hard with critics and at the box office with “Terminator Genisys” in summer 2015, Paramount Pictures is resetting the beloved action franchise with the upcoming “Terminator: Dark Fate.” Original franchise director James Cameron is producing the movie and worked closely with filmmaker Tim Miller (“Deadpool”) to relaunch the franchise with “Dark Fate,” which will serve as a direct sequel to Cameron’s “The Terminator” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” Paramount used its CinemaCon presentation to launch the first trailer for “Dark Fate,” and it left a lasting impression on the press.

Appearing onstage, Miller said there are still months left of VFX work needed to complete the movie and therefore the footage screening at CinemaCon was not final. Paramount showed off two clips from the movie and a reel. The first clips prominently featured Mackenzie Davis, who is seen time traveling and landing in Mexico City and fighting police in the first one. The second clip found Hamilton interrupting a fight between Davis’ character and two Terminators. Hamilton’s Sarah Connor is seen firing off a bazooka and saying, “I’ll be back.” The line prompted a huge reaction from the audience.

Related stories

CinemaCon Highlights Tensions Between Studios, Old and New

Linda Hamilton Keeps It Real: 'Terminator' Sequels After 'Judgment Day' Were 'Very Forgettable'

'Knives Out' Trailer Impresses CinemaCon -- Especially When Chris Evans Tells Everyone to 'Eat S--t'

“Terminator: Dark Fate” stars Mackenzie Davis and Natalia Reyes, but the film’s biggest selling point is the reunion between original “Terminator” stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hamilton. The latter’s portrayal of Sarah Connor in “The Terminator” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” is iconic and now the character is returning for the first time with Hamilton in her shoes in decades.

Paramount Pictures will release “Terminator: Dark Fate” in theaters nationwide November 1. Check out first reaction footage below.

Additional reporting by Kate Erbland

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.