If you’re developing a video game based on the iconic Terminator 2: Judgment Day, one might assume that securing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s likeness for the game would be a top priority. After all, he’s the face of the franchise. However, the reality is a bit more complex than that.
The developer behind the upcoming Terminator 2D: No Fate game has shared some insight into the licensing process and why Arnold Schwarzenegger’s likeness isn’t part of the game.
Terminator 2D: No Fate, set to launch this September, is a retro-inspired game that pays homage to the 1991 action classic, Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Players will encounter beloved characters from the film, including Sarah and John Connor, along with the iconic T-1000 and T-800. While these characters will make an appearance in the game, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 won’t appear in the traditional sense. Instead of using Schwarzenegger’s likeness, the game features an endoskeleton design, which is still unmistakably associated with the Terminator.
Publisher Reef Entertainment, who holds the rights to the Terminator 2 franchise through Studio Canal, explains that while they have access to characters like Sarah and John Connor, the rights to the actual Terminator character do not extend to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s image. As a result, the game avoids using his likeness altogether.
Interestingly, Reef Entertainment reached out to Michael Edwards, the actor who portrayed General John Connor in the film’s opening sequence, to have his likeness included in the game. This marks a fascinating and somewhat overlooked detail in Terminator lore. Edwards’ character only appears briefly in the movie, yet his portrayal of a battle-hardened John Connor, with his scarred face and intense expression, left a lasting impression. The game expands on this fleeting moment, allowing players to control this version of John Connor as he fights against the machines in the game’s future war sections.
While Schwarzenegger’s likeness wasn’t included, this collaboration with Edwards shows that the developers are going the extra mile to remain faithful to the film. The inclusion of Edwards as John Connor gives the game a unique authenticity that many fans of the franchise are sure to appreciate. Reef Entertainment’s decision also highlights an interesting aspect of game licensing. While they managed to obtain rights for character likenesses, securing rights to an actor’s face or voice is a different matter entirely.
This isn’t to say that it’s impossible to use Schwarzenegger’s likeness in video games. Other developers, like Mortal Kombat’s NetherRealm Studios, have successfully incorporated the actor’s image in past titles, including Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1’s Conan DLC. However, there are major differences in budget and scale between these games and Terminator 2D: No Fate.
As for the game’s portrayal of Schwarzenegger, Reef Entertainment has opted to skip the actor’s voice altogether, opting for a soundalike in past projects. Despite this, it’s clear that Terminator 2D: No Fate is still doing its best to honor the legacy of the franchise with careful attention to detail and dedication to its roots.