Terminator Zero: Release details, plot, cast and everything we know so far

In recent years, Netflix has successfully exceeded expectations by releasing some of the most anticipated series, and Terminator Zero is no exception.

The upcoming anime series will take place between the events of The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, so make sure you don't miss the introduction of an all-new soldier sent from the future to deal with Malcolm Lee.

Almost four decades have passed and fans still melt over Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic role in The Terminator and are always curious about the next fight between humanity and artificial intelligence of machines.

Terminator Zero is the latest anime series in the Terminator franchise and will take fans back to 1997, to stop Skynet from dominating humanity and causing chaos in the world.

When will Terminator Zero be released?

The soldier Eiko (Image Source: Netflix)

The Terminator franchise has a global fanbase and fans cannot wait to see how the newly assigned soldier goes about her job.

Terminator Zero will hit Netflix on August 29, 2024, and bring a whole new cast of talented actors to give life to the animated series. 29th August is symbolic for the franchise as 29th August 1997 was known as Judgment Day in the Terminator series.

Is there a trailer for Netflix's upcoming Terminator Zero?

Yes, a one-minute-forty-eight-second trailer for Terminator Zero has been released by Netflix and is available to watch on YouTube as well.

It provides a perfect glimpse of what's coming next in the Terminator universe, as we see massive bloodshed, ruthless machines, and loss of life. Above all, the soldier's mission is to block Skynet's advance in 1997, while there's an ongoing war between machines and humanity in 2022.

What is the plot of Terminator Zero?

The series will revolve around a special mission (Image Source: Netflix)

As previously mentioned, the animated series will focus on the soldier's mission, sent from the future in 1997, to prevent Judgment day. However, her quest will be riddled with chaos and unexpected twists, as Skynet is driven to take full control and dethrone humanity from its power.

While Malcolm is working on the new AI, he will have to witness his three children being severely impacted by his current situation and face the harsh reality of life.

According to the chilling trailer of Terminator Zero, "Things will get worse before they get better", reflecting that the soldier is not only tasked to stop Skynet's wrongful dominance but to also face off against the worst situations.

The official synopsis of the animates series reads:

"Caught between the future and this past is a soldier sent back in time to change the fate of humanity. She arrives in 1997 to protect a scientist named Malcolm Lee who works to launch a new AI system designed to compete with Skynet’s impending attack on humanity..."

While talking about the focus of Terminator Zero, creator and executive producer Mattson Tomlin told Netflix's Tudum:

"You strip away killer robots, you strip away Judgment Day, what do you have left? You have stories about families."

Explaining that this animated series is not just about killer robots or the decades-old battle between humanity and AI, but how families are affected in tough situations.

Terminator Zero is made in a way that resonates with the audience by reflecting on family dynamics and the struggles of the scientist while he's developing a rival to Skynet.

Is Terminator Zero a prequel series?

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No, Terminator Zero isn't a prequel series as it is set between the timeline of The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Since there's a war going on in 2022, and the roots lie in 1997, the soldier is sent from the future to prevent an apocalyptic outcome. Terminator Zero will have a total of eight episodes.

Who are the cast members behind Terminator Zero?

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Terminator franchise is synonymous with Arnold Schwarzenegger, but sadly he won't be returning for this upcoming animated show. However, the makers have ensured a strong ensemble of voice artists to engage fans.

Actor	Role in Terminator Zero	Details about the character
Timothy Olyphant	The Terminator	It remains the most relentless and emotionless
Sonoya Mizuno	Eiko	The soldier you've been waiting to see
André Holland	Malcolm Lee	The unmatched scientist creating humanity's last hope
Rosario Dawson	Kokoro	Japan's version of Skynet
Ann Dowd	The Prophet	A philosophical mentor in the world of chaos

Terminator Zero is currently one of the highly anticipated animated series that not only promises a visually appealing series but also highlights the core theme of familial relationships.

Who are the creators of Terminator Zero?

The animated series is created by Mattson Tomlin (Image Source: Netflix)

Terminator Zero will be the outcome of the hard work put in by each cast and crew member of the series, but the main contributors of the show are Skydance, Production I.G., and the writer- producer Mattson Tomlin.

The creator expressed his gratitude for helming the show in 2021 and said:

"I’m honored that Netflix and Skydance have given me the opportunity to approach Terminator in a way that breaks conventions, subverts expectations, and has real guts."

Tomlin has secured some of the most high-profile projects in the industry which include Netflix's Project Power, and the writer's chair for the upcoming The Batman II, featuring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader.