‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ Cast Discuss The Importance of Latinx Representation

The iconic Terminator film franchise is getting a Latinx makeover with Gabriel Luna starring as the predatory terminator “Rev 9” in the upcoming Terminator: Dark Fate. The rest of the Terminator cast also includes Diego Boneta and Colombian actress Natalia Reyes and this weekend at Comic-Con in San Diego, they discussed Latinx representation in their film.

“It’s wonderful. It’s really there for no other reason than it’s just reality,” Luna told Variety. “[As a terminator], I come back looking like someone who could be from Mexico City.” Partly set in Mexico City, Terminator: Dark Fate is a follow-up to Terminator 2: Judgment Day released in 1991. Original director James Cameron returns as a producer in the film.

The film takes place 27 years after Terminator 2, with an updated liquid metal “Rev 9” (Luna) who is sent from the Skynet of the future to terminate Dani Ramos (Reyes), who gets help from a cyborg human hybrid (Mackenzie Davis) as well as Sarah and the original Terminator.

“This movie is a reflection of Hollywood now,” 32-year-old Reyes told Variety. “We are just changing these stereotypes and the ideas and the cliches of what a Latino should be.” Deadpool director Tim Miller takes the helm for this film, which is planned to be a trilogy and the OG Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger will return as the classic T-800 Terminator. Original cast member Linda Hamilton is also reprising her role as Sarah Connor. Cameron confirmed at Comic-Con that Edward Furlong is returning as John Connor.

Boneta, who hails from Mexico City, plays Dani’s brother and told Variety that he became a sort of “impromptu dialect coach” on set as he helped the cast speak Spanish with Mexican accents. “Finally seeing a franchise like this having a Latinx cast, shooting in Mexico — that was probably the most special part of the movie for me,” Boneta said.

The film — set to premiere on November 1 — is a huge step for Latinx representation, considering both the location and the fact that such an iconic role is going to a Latinx actor alongside a cast that’s so diverse. We can’t wait to watch it on the big screen.