Editorials > Christian Bale as John Connor in Terminator 4?

This is strictly hearsay at this point, but Harry Knowles over at AICN is resolutely excited to announce that Christian Bale will play adult John Connor in the fourth installment in the Terminator franchise, to be directed by McG (Charlie's Angels, We Are Marshall). Terminator fans will remember that the part was originated by Edward Furlong in James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and recast with Nick Stahl in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. 

Though Harry cites a "trusted source who has never been wrong," one would think and hope Bale would have better taste in projects than to get mixed up with McG's stable of so-so action films. On the other hand, an actor as talented and well-known as Bale could really rejuvenate that franchise. Obviously a lot of people are going to have conflicting emotions about this, so first let's find out whether or not Harry's source is as infallible as advertised.

Oh also, Harry calls the new film "TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE FUTURE BEGINS." I hadn't heard that before. One would hope Bale would have the good sense to avoid a title like that altogether on general principle.

UPDATE: MovieWeb claims to have heard that Bale is in fact in talks to play a character other than John Connor (who may not be a character in the film after all) but they would not go into further details about what their source told them. CHUD had also reportedly heard that the actor would be playing a Terminator but then later "heard buzz" that he would be playing neither a Terminator nor John Connor but some third new character. As you can see, things are still very up in the air.

-David Morgan