Anyone recognize this strapping young lad? His name is Anton Yelchin, and he is in negotiations to play a young Kyle Reese in the new Terminator movie. Anton has been in a number of films, most recently Charlie Bartlett and Alpha Dog (with Justin Timberlake), the Showtime series “Huff”, and has a cool starring role in the upcoming feature by director/producer J.J. Abrams, a little flick called Star Trek.

Apparently, the Reese in this movie is going to befriend a character named Marcus (played by Sam Worthington), who is an early version of the Terminator played by Arnold in the first three films.

There seems to be an underlying tone in the film and TV versions of the whole Terminator series, that machines can learn to love. We see this with The Terminator and John Connor in T2 and T3, and I think it’s being hinted at in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”. Maybe we’ll see a side of the Terminators that think for themselves, out of love and a conscience, rather than them just being on a mission.

I have come to love the new Terminator TV series, and I think they should totally bring Summer Glau into the film versions as well. She may be small, but she’s mighty!

On a side note: it is also being said that Paul Haggis, Academy Award-winning scribe of Crash, Million Dollar Baby, and Casino Royale (as well as the upcoming Quantum of Solace) is in talks to script the sequel to Terminator Salvation. I LOVE Paul Haggis, and I can’t think of anyone better to take on the project. His versatility in writing (as shown with the movies listed above) ensure an action packed flick with lots of depth. Hope this happens!