Opinion: Alan Taylor's a Solid Choice to Helm the New 'Terminator'

If you caught the news yesterday, it was reported that Game of Thrones alum and Thor: The Dark World director, Alan Taylor, is in-talks to direct the 5th entry in the Terminator series.  This new film - being distributed by Paramount and produced by the Ellison sibilings' production companies (Megan's Annapurna Pictures and David's Skydance Productions, respectively) - is said to be a reboot of sorts that will start a new trilogy, though franchise star Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he'll be back in his signature role.

What made me scratch my head a bit though was the majority of fans' lack of enthusiasm towards Taylor's hiring, seemingly citing him as a bad choice to helm the new flick.

In just looking at this guy's resume, I for one think it's a very solid choice and also have reason to believe the quality of the script is in damn good shape judging by the talent they went after prior to Taylor's hiring.

In regards to the new director and browsing through his filmmography, the man has mainly stuck to television (his only other feature-film being 2001's The Emperor's New Clothes), but man has he worked on some great TV.  From The Sopranos, to Mad Men, to Six Feet Under, to Lost, to Deadwood, to Law & Order, to Boardwalk Empire, and of course, Game of Thrones (which he also executive produced); those are all either Emmy winning or nominated dramas.  And please, don't even remark, "It's only TV."  Last I checked, there's a hell of a lot more high quality talent and work going on in television then the crap Hollywood dishes out year-to-year, so just stop.

As far as the quality of the script - which many have worried about based on the screenwriters being Patrick Lussier (Drive Angry) and Laeta Kalogridis (Avatar) - I actually perceive its in good condition.  If you read the original story from Variety reporting Taylor's involvement, they state producers behind the new film reached out to names such as Ang Lee, Rian Johnson (Looper), and Prisoners director Denis Villenueve.  Not for nothing, but you don't go after names like that unless you're confident in what you have.  And for those who say, "Well, they all turned it down so it can't be good," look at the facts.  Ang Lee's coming off his 2nd Academy Award win and can pretty much do whatever he wants.  I don't blame him for not wanting to do a Terminator movie.  Rian Johnson has always been about doing his own original projects so it doesn't surprise me neither that he didn't want the job.  And Denis Villenueve?  Who knows, maybe he just didn't connect with the material.

Look, all I'm saying is don't be so quick to be negative and jump ship on this new Terminator when still so little is known at this point.  We don't know what the film's about nor do we know what characters are officially coming back (contrary to what Arnold has said).

Just relax and be positive.  I actually think the franchise is in good hands now with this guy Alan Taylor.  I mean common, how did you all feel when you learned the director of Charlie's Angels was going to helm a new Terminator movie?

Thank you very much.