'Terminator' returning to big screen July 2019

Paramount and Skydance Media have announced that the sixth movie in the "Terminator" franchise -- which debuted in the 1980s with a movie directed by James Cameron -- is set to land in US theaters July 26, 2019. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton will be reunited for the new installment, which no doubt hopes to turn a page on its predecessor, 2015 flop "Terminator: Genisys."

The next "Terminator" movie -- which is as yet untitled -- is billed as a direct sequel to the two first films, released in 1984 and 1991. "The Terminator" and "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" are the only movies in the franchise directed by James Cameron.

The saga is evidently heading back to its roots, with Linda Hamilton due to step back into her role as Sarah Connor. The character had been left out of later episodes ("Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" and "Terminator Salvation") before resurfacing in "Genisys" played by a different actress -- Emilia Clarke of "Game of Thrones" fame. Arnold Schwarzenegger, now aged 71, will also return as the cyborg from the future with a deceptively human appearance.

James Cameron won't be getting back behind the camera to direct this sixth movie. Too busy developing his new "Avatar" franchise, the director will hand over the reins to Tim Miller, who directed last year's "Deadpool." However, James Cameron will be on hand to keep watch over the project thanks to a role as producer.

For the time being, not much is known about the movie's plot, other than its time-travel premise, and paving the way for a new generation of characters. In fact, the new heroine could be an 18-year-old woman, although no actress has yet been cast.

The next "Terminator" movie is scheduled to start filming in March with US release set for July 26, 2019.