Terminator

Fictional background

These killing machines are cyborgs built by the AI Skynet in a future after it nuked humanity. The first two movies show them appearing after the war began. In later films like Terminator 3 and Salvation, a different timeline has Cyber Research Systems making them, starting with the T-1. Each Terminator has living human skin stretched over a metal skeleton; that skin ages and gets damaged over time. The human resistance uses dogs to sniff out these disguised infiltrators. Their common abilities include immense strength, changing shape, mimicking voices, and glowing red eyes.

Models

The original film introduces a Cyberdyne Systems Model 101, also known as a T-800, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Originally an antagonist, the T-800 is usually depicted as a protector in later appearances. The T-1000, portrayed by Robert Patrick in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, is made of a mimetic polyalloy liquid metal allowing shapeshifting; it lacks an endoskeleton. Another T-1000 appears in Terminator Genisys, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun.

The T-X, portrayed by Kristanna Loken in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, is the first Terminator with a female default exterior, having both an endoskeleton and liquid metal exterior. The T-5000, portrayed by Matt Smith in Terminator Genisys, is controlled by Skynet as its first physical embodiment and can infect others with nanotechnology. The Rev-9, portrayed by Gabriel Luna in Terminator: Dark Fate, can split into two entities. Several humans become part machine: Marcus Wright in Terminator Salvation is a death row inmate who becomes a cyborg with a metal endoskeleton while retaining his brain, heart, and outer appearance.

In Terminator Genisys, John Connor becomes the T-3000 after infection by the T-5000. In Terminator: Dark Fate, Grace is a post-apocalyptic fighter implanted with technology for enhanced strength.

Production background

James Cameron, who wrote and directed the first two films, originated the Terminator idea. Practical effects for the original movie, including the endoskeleton, came from Stan Winston and his team, who later worked on the next three sequels. For shots of the machines starting with Terminator 2, Industrial Light & Magic supplied computer-generated imagery.