Gareth Cattermole/Getty; IMF 3/Album/Alamy Ridley Scott said he turned down a $20 million offer to directTerminator 3 He said the franchise is "pure comic strip" and he would "try to make it real," which he says is also the reason why he's never been offered a James Bond movie Terminator 3hit theaters in 2003 and was directed by Jonathan Mostow Ridley Scottwas offered the chance to direct aTerminatormovie, but not even a $20 million check could make him say yes. In a new Q&A forThe Guardian, published on Thursday, Aug. 28, Scott, 87, confirmed two-decade-old rumors that he was considered to direct the 2003 entry in the franchise,Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. "I'm proud about this. I turned down a $20 million fee. See, I can't be bought, dude," Scott toldThe Guardian. Someone suggested he ask whatArnold Schwarzeneggerwas going to be paid to reprise his role as the T-800 robot. "I thought: 'I'll try it out,'" Scott recalled. "I said: 'I want what Arnie gets. When they said yes, I thought: 'F--- me.' " Even though he was astonished by Schwarzenegger's payday, Scott said he still couldn't make the movie. Dave Benett/Getty "It's not my thing," theGladiatorfilmmaker said. "It's like doinga Bond movie. The essence of a Bond movie is fun and camp.Terminatoris pure comic strip. I would try to make it real. That's why they've never asked me to do a Bond movie, because I could f--- it up." Terminator 3: Rise of the Machineswas the first film in the franchise since 1991'sTerminator 2: Judgement Dayand the first one without creatorJames Cameron. Scott,Roland EmmerichandDavid Fincherwerereportedlyamong those considered to replace Cameron as director. However, the job eventually went toJonathan Mostow, whose credits includeBreakdownwithKurt RussellandU-571withMatthew McConaughey. Instead of makingTerminator 3, Scott turned his attention toBlack Hawk Down, which hit theaters in 2001 and won two Oscars for Best Film Editing and Best Sound. Scott isn't opposed to doing sequels in franchises he had a hand in establishing. He has made two additional films in theAlienseries,Prometheus(2012) andAlien: Covenant(2017). Scott was an executive producer on theBlade RunnersequelBlade Runner 2049(2017). He also directedGladiator II(2024). The filmmaker toldThe Guardianthat a thirdGladiatormovie is "in process right now." He would even make anotherAlienprequel "if I get an idea, for sure." Ladd Company/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Scott's next film isThe Dog Stars, based on the novel by Peter Heller.Jacob Elordistars as a pilot andJosh Brolinas a former Marine who face off with invaders after a catastrophic flu virus nearly wipes out humanity.Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce and Benedict Wong also star. The movie hits theaters on March 27, 2026. Read the original article onPeople
