Ridley Scott reveals his reasons for passing on Terminator 3

Twenty-two years after Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines premiered, legendary director Ridley Scott has opened up about why he turned down the opportunity to direct the sci-fi sequel. While James Cameron created the Terminator franchise and helmed the first two iconic installments—widely considered action classics—he stepped away from the third film. Before Jonathan Mostow ultimately took the director’s chair, the studio approached Scott.

Ironically, this offer could have mirrored a prior creative exchange: Cameron had previously directed Aliens in 1986, a sequel to Scott’s groundbreaking 1979 sci-fi horror Alien. In this case, it would’ve been Scott continuing Cameron’s vision.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Scott revealed that he declined a staggering $20 million fee to direct Terminator 3. Initially, he jokingly asked for the same salary as Arnold Schwarzenegger, assuming the studio wouldn’t agree. To his surprise, they accepted. But even with the massive payday on the table, Scott said no, citing a fundamental mismatch in style and tone.

“I’m proud of this. I turned down a $20 million fee,” he said. “It’s not my thing. It’s like doing a Bond movie. The essence of Bond is fun and camp. Terminator is pure comic strip. I would try to make it real. That’s why they’ve never asked me to do Bond—I’d f--k it up.”

While Terminator 3 received a lukewarm reception and is often viewed as a rehash of earlier films, Scott’s refusal highlights his strong sense of creative integrity. Despite the temptation, he chose not to direct a film he felt didn’t suit his strengths—an artist known more for grounded epics than flashy sci-fi action.

Though some fans may wish he had taken on the project, Scott’s decision reflects a deeper respect for the franchise. Rather than impose his own vision on a universe he didn’t feel aligned with, he stepped aside—something many filmmakers might not have done.