The Terminator franchise will be up for auction in January 2010. The original movie, released in 1984 was co-written and directed by James Cameron. It boasted a thrilling action script, with the genre splices of horror and sci-fi, not forgetting the big Austrian lug in the leading role. The sequel provided much of the same, with even more ground breaking special effects and genre splicing.

In 2003 the franchise was revived without Cameron at the helm. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines was headed by Johnathan Mostow and reaped the loyalty of its core fan base.

This summer saw the release of Terminator Salvation, the forth installment in the series. Halcyon, the company that purchased the rights to make Salvation, is now facing an uncertain future.

In 2007 Derek Anderson and Victor Kubicek of Halcyon acquired the development rights to the Terminator franchise. Soon after the company reported that it was creating a subsidiary entitled Halcyon Games-- to compete in the gaming market and profiting from the summer success of the movie.

Yet, in August 2009 the producers had filed for bankruptcy, after some messy legal battles. Troublingly, Anderson and Kubicek have been involved in numerous lawsuits during their short careers in Hollywood. After some investigation it appears that "Terminator" is the only film they have produced and released. Previous legal opponents have involved major investors, a producer on the movie, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

The silver lining for fans of the Terminator movies appears to be this: there does appear to be life left in the franchise. With various parties vying for its rights. These rights will allow for the evolution of the franchise through movie and tv production in addition to expanding on the merchandizing, potential dvd sales and one presumes the leg work done on the projected story for the sequel/sequels to Salvation.

Though Salvation did have its troubles on screen and off. It continues to have a large following. A CNN report claimed that Summit Entertainment, the company behind the Twilight series, is interested in the property. Though it appears most of Burbank and Century City are seeking a piece of the shrapnel.

If we've learned one thing from the franchise so far it's about keeping your word-- They'll be back!

Story By: Terry Winders