Mattson Tomlin talks about writing ‘Terminator Zero,’ his inspiration, and the challenges of AI.
Mattson Tomlin, the visionary writer behind Terminator Zero, is redefining the iconic franchise with a fresh and daring approach. He is behind many thought-provoking narratives and genre-bending projects. Now, Tomlin is challenged to expand the Terminator universe in this latest series. Set against a dystopian backdrop, Terminator Zero delves into uncharted territory, exploring themes of family, artificial intelligence, and the franchise’s evolution. In the following interview, Tomlin discusses the creative hurdles he faced, his inspirations from the original films, and how he navigated the complexities of blending classic elements with innovative storytelling.
Q: Did it feel strange writing futuristic scenes that are now actually set in the past?
A: When I wrote them, they were still the future, if that counts. I started working on the show in 2020, thinking about 2022, 2028, 2030, and beyond. I knew the show would come out after 2022, so I didn’t want to jump too far ahead to 2037. Setting it in a dystopian version of 2022 made it easier for the audience to engage without too many mental leaps.
Q: What elements from the original films did you feel were essential to bring to Terminator Zero?
A: When you’re dealing with a franchise that’s 40 years old, you have to ask yourself why it still resonates. I watched all the movies and created a Venn diagram of what makes Terminator what it is. Killer robots from the future, nuclear war, and time travel are the givens. But what really makes Terminator tick is the primal love stories at its core. For me, the first movie is the best because it’s about a man who crosses time to save a woman he’s never met, hoping she’ll love him back. That’s incredibly romantic. The second movie shifts to a mother’s love for her son and how she grapples with her trauma. These are primal family stories, and that’s what I wanted to capture in Terminator Zero.
Q: How did you decide which timelines to focus on?
A: It just felt most clear to focus on the timelines that fans are familiar with, like August 29, 1997. The first two movies set up the concept of Judgment Day so clearly, but we’ve only seen it in flashbacks or visions. We’ve never lived through it. I wanted to explore new territory by placing the story right at ground zero.
Q: What was it like bringing that story to life? Were existing characters from the original films considered?
A: When I got the job, I said I didn’t want to do a Connor story because that’s been done many times. Terminator Zero gave me a unique opportunity because the project was already in collaboration with Skydance, Netflix, and Production I.G. I had partners in an animation studio in Tokyo, which allowed us to explore what’s happening in other parts of the world, like Japan, without negating anything from previous movies. It’s not that John Connor isn’t important; it’s just that people in Japan don’t know about him. That was a narratively rewarding angle for me.
The series takes place in Japan, where guns are scarce.
Q: You faced some challenges with the action scenes due to Japan’s strict gun control. How did that shape the scenes?
A: Yeah, that was true. I had written a scene where a character gets a revolver from a car, and Production I.G. told me that wouldn’t happen in Japan because they don’t have guns like that. I freaked out initially, thinking I’d done everything wrong. But it became a narrative hurdle that added depth. The character had to face a Terminator without weapons, much like Kyle Reese in the first movie, which added tension. Eventually, the story evolved to involve the police and military, which allowed us to bring in more traditional action elements.
Q: Looking back at your previous projects, what lessons or insights did you bring to Terminator Zero?
A: Over the years, I’ve developed a better sense of what audiences will tolerate, like the rhythm of scenes, pacing, and how to clearly convey rules within the story. For example, in my movie Mother/Android, we struggled with explaining how an EMP works. I felt like I didn’t stick the landing there, so I took another shot at it in Terminator Zero, where EMPs become important. Knowing when and how much information to give the audience is crucial.
Q: You’re working with Production I.G., known for Ghost in the Shell. What new challenges did you face in making robots versus humans compelling in Terminator Zero?
A: There are sequences in the show where a character named Malcolm Lee debates with an AI, Kokoro. My take was to create something like Terminator meets 12 Angry Men, where they discuss the philosophy of killer robots and humanity. I wanted to explore what Skynet would want if it won, and similarly, what makes humanity worth saving. These debates set the thematic architecture for the show. I also leaned into the body horror elements from the first Terminator movie, creating moments of suspense where you’re unsure who is and isn’t a Terminator.
New AI is at the center of the new series.
Q: With the current discussions around AI technology, how did that influence your writing, especially for Kokoro?
A: I hope that when people watch the show, they don’t feel like it’s outdated, even though AI is evolving so quickly. AI’s relevance isn’t just in the fear of the apocalypse; it’s also about its role in the creative industry. For Terminator Zero, I didn’t want to just say, “computers bad, technology bad.” The franchise itself challenges that notion, especially with the shift in the second movie where the villain from the first becomes the hero. Kokoro’s creation is nuanced, embodying both the potential good and bad of AI, which reflects the complex reality of the technology today.
Streaming on Netflix on August 29th.
The Terminator Zero series features a dynamic cast led by Timothy Olyphant who voices The Terminator. He is known for his roles in Justified and Deadwood. Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka, Common Ground) stars as Kokoro. She is an advanced AI from Japan, grappling with the moral dilemmas of humanity’s fate. André Holland (Moonlight, The Knick) plays Malcolm Lee. He is a brilliant programmer driven by visions of a dystopian future, working on an AI he believes could save humanity. Sonoya Mizuno (House of the Dragon, Crazy Rich Asians) portrays Eiko, a resistance fighter sent back in time to prevent the rise of Kokoro. Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale, MASS) rounds out the cast as The Prophet, a wise and philosophical leader guiding the human resistance in a post-apocalyptic world.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
