Terminator 2 Game Tracks Down Original John Connor Actor

When developing a Terminator video game, securing Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic appearance is often top priority. But that's not always achievable. Why? The creators of an upcoming Terminator game have shed light on this licensing challenge.

Terminator 2D: No Fate, launching this September, is a retro-style game based on the 1991 action classic Terminator 2: Judgment Day. It includes key characters like John and Sarah Connor, the T-1000, and the T-800. Watch developer insights and gameplay footage from Bitmap Bureau below.

While Terminator 2D: No Fate features the T-800 character, it doesn't include Schwarzenegger's likeness. Speaking to IGN, publisher Reef Entertainment explained the complex licensing process for film-based video games.

Reef secured the Terminator 2 license to use characters from the film, plus image rights for certain actors through Studio Canal, which owns the first two Terminator films. However, the Terminator character rights don't automatically include Schwarzenegger's likeness. That's why the game uses the metallic endoskeleton design instead.

Interestingly, Reef negotiated directly with Michael Edwards, who played the scarred future John Connor in T2's opening sequence. The game expands this brief cinematic moment into full playable sections featuring Edwards' likeness.

That striking battlefield introduction—with Edwards' weathered features conveying years of battles against the machines—remains one of T2's most memorable scenes. The 80-year-old actor even reprised the role in 2021 for a fan film called Skynet.

The key takeaway: Film licenses and actor likeness rights are separate agreements. While some big-budget games like Mortal Kombat 11 have featured Schwarzenegger's likeness, they typically use soundalike actors for dialogue—the 77-year-old star doesn't currently do video game voice work.

Here's Reef Entertainment's full explanation to IGN:

"Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't in the game—it's just a T-800. We didn't have his license. Normally you negotiate with each actor individually for portrait rights."

"Our license covers character usage like Sarah, John, and the main terminators, plus certain actors who provided image rights to Studio Canal. That's why Linda Hamilton appears as Sarah Connor in our trailer. The Terminator rights cover the endoskeleton version—not Arnold's likeness."

"For actors like Michael Edwards (future John Connor), we negotiated separately. There's a clear distinction between the film license and individual actor agreements."