Terminator franchise up for auction
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KAI RYSSDAL: So not for nothin’, but have you seen a good “Terminator” movie lately? Yeah, didn’t think so. The reason I ask is that the company that bought the rights to the “Terminator” franchise just a couple of years ago is bankrupt. So it’s putting the brand that Arnold Schwarzenegger made famous up for sale.
Marketplace’s Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
MOVIE SOUND BITE: In the 21st century, a weapon will be invented like no other — The Terminator.
Production company Halcyon paid about $25 million for the “Terminator” franchise. It hopes to more than double that.
Kevin Shultz is with FTI Capital Advisors. It’s handling the sale. He says a buyer could apply the rights to a wide range of products.
KEVIN SCHULTZ: Not just film sequels but games, merchandise, TV series….
Rights to the older blockbuster movies aren’t included, just “Terminator 4” and everything after.
UCLA’s Nelson Gayton:
NELSON GAYTON: It’s proven itself globally. A question is whether this franchises’ brand value has played out.
No word on price yet. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” just sold for $60 million, and Gayton expects studios will like “Termintor’s” potential for a resurrection. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be available next year.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: I’ll be back.
Killer droids can’t seem that scary after six years of politics.
I’m Stacey Vanek-Smith for Marketplace.
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