Terminator 4: Who Will Succeed Arnie?

BRIAN THOMPSON
Who? Something of a sci-fi regular, Thompson has been lending his... uh, unique look to a variety of TV shows over the years. He's perhaps most famous for his role as the funny lookin' alien bounty hunter in The X-Files, though he has popped up in Charmed and Buffy as well.
Pros: Look at that face: no offence Bri, but you look like a cast-off from a robot factory. His head looks like a pencil eraser and he's built like a brick shithouse - ideal qualities for an early model of Terminator. Stick some shades and some leather on him and you've got a knock-off Arnie clone who'd work for cheap. Don't forget those impeccable sci-fi credentials, too.
Cons: Continuity - Thompson appeared in James Cameron's first Terminator movie, simply as 'Punk'. Still, that didn't stop him from appearing in no less than three separate series of Star Trek.
As long as it's not... William Shatner. "You're... TERminated!"


GUY PEARCE
Who? An immensely talent Australian actor looking for his big break. Graduated from Oz soap Neighbours and started clawing up the Hollywood ladder, but seems destined to appear in either marginal cult hits (Memento, The Proposition) or flat-out flops (Ravenous). LA Confidential remains the bright spot on an underachieving CV.
Pros: Reportedly came close to winning the role of Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins , and if he's good enough for Chris Nolan, he's good enough for us. Has a seething intensity and some serious drive (see Memento) plus has the added bonus of being experienced in time travel (The Time Machine). Can bulk up if necessary, and would relish a breakout role such as this.
Cons: Five words: Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert. No one's going to take a killing machine seriously if he's got an ABBA fetish.
Maybe consider... Fellow Aussie Hugh Jackman. He's still got it in for Bale after The Prestige...


MATT DAMON
Who? Fresh-faced twerp turned über action hero for the new millennium. As quick-thinking super-spy Jason Bourne, he showed the world he was more than just Will Hunting (and convinced Paul Rudd that he wasn't a 'Streisand'), dishing up three hot steaming bowls of whoopass in Identity, Supremacy and Ultimatum. The very definition of a cross-gender star - girls want to lay him (Sarah Silverman especially) and guys only wish they had his awesome combat skills. Currently the most profitable movie star in the world.
Pros: "I can run flat out for a half mile before my hands start shaking." Has unparalleled action chops, and as Bourne, redefined the modern action movie. Let's not overlook the man's genuine acting skills, too - Damon could knock a role like this out of the park.
Cons: Too short, and too recognisable. Plus, of course, he'd never ever do something like this in a million years. Sorry to be Sergeant Buzzkill, but let's get real.
As long as it's not... Ben Affleck. Seriously.


WESLEY SNIPES
Who? Strong and silent type who's been plugging away at action movies for almost two decades. Most recognisable as Blade, the moody, day-walking half-vamp with attitude - Snipes charisma stretched a decent concept to breaking point over three movies. His recent alarming slide into the murky world of direct-to-DVD movies is worrying, but Snipes will bounce back. Always bet on black.
Pros: Knows how to hand out a whomping, plus the Blade movies showed you don't have to be flamboyant or over-the-top to be a comic-book superhero. Would attack the role with quiet dignity and would freak out his fellow cast members by totally ignoring them on set. Plus, of course, it's about time America welcomed a black Terminator. Equal rights for the future and all that.
Cons: The fact he may well be going to jail for tax fraud isn't an attractive prospect to casting agents.
Maybe also consider... Spellcheck menace Chiwetel Ejiofor, so awesome in Serenity.


RON PERLMAN
Who? Hellboy! Underneath all that red latex is Perlman, sporting a face created solely for the purpose of freaking people out. A classically trained character actor, Perlman first stood out from the crowd in the awesome/awful Ice Pirates and continued to choose oddball roles throughout his career. Forged a working relationship with director Guillermo del Toro in Cronos and never looked back.
Pros: With a face only an autonomous network of killer robots could love and a frame built stronger than most steel mills, Perlman is menace personified - he looks like he was constructed rather than born. Proved he's capable of carrying a franchise with Hellboy. Isn't going to be playing any romantic leads any time soon.
Cons: Ron will be almost 60 by the time the film comes out: the only things he'll be terminating are his hip-joints.
As long as it's not... Doug Jones. Too skinny.

Thoughts? Add your own favourites for the job in the comments section and let's all help make this a Judgment Day rather than a Rise Of The Machines. Digg this article!