Emilia Clarke Reflects on Terminator Genisys: “No One Had a Good Time”

Emilia Clarke, forever etched in pop culture as Daenerys Targaryen, the “Mother of Dragons” in Game of Thrones, has never shied away from honesty about her career highs and lows. One of her most candid reflections came in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, where she opened up about her difficult experience filming Terminator Genisys (2015)—a blockbuster that was supposed to cement her Hollywood stardom but instead became one of her least favorite projects.

A Strained Reunion with Alan Taylor

Clarke reunited on Genisys with director Alan Taylor, who had previously helmed several episodes of Game of Thrones, including the dramatic Season 1 finale “Fire and Blood.” But their collaboration didn’t recreate the same spark. Instead, Clarke described a dispirited set.

“He was not the director I remembered. He didn’t have a good time. No one had a good time,” Clarke revealed.

Her words paint a picture of a troubled production—one where the creative synergy that worked so well on Thrones evaporated under the pressure of reviving one of Hollywood’s most beloved franchises.

Critical Misfire Despite Box Office

When Terminator Genisys hit theaters, the response matched Clarke’s grim behind-the-scenes experience. The film holds just a 26% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics lambasting its muddled plot and failure to live up to James Cameron’s legendary originals.

“A Terminator film brings with it certain high expectations, and Genisys doesn’t meet them,” wrote critic Keith Garlington.

Despite earning $440 million worldwide on a $155 million budget, the film’s reception was so lukewarm that planned sequels were abandoned.

Clarke’s Turn as Sarah Connor

Clarke’s casting as Sarah Connor was one of the film’s biggest draws. She won the role over heavy competition, including Brie Larson and Tatiana Maslany, with Paramount initially leaning toward Larson. For Clarke, fresh off Game of Thrones’ meteoric success, it seemed like the perfect career leap.

But Genisys didn’t give her the boost many expected. Instead, it left her feeling relieved not to be tied to future installments. “Relieved” is the word Clarke herself used in hindsight—underscoring how much strain the project had placed on its cast and crew.

Moving Beyond the Disappointment

If Genisys was a stumble, Clarke has more than recovered. She has gone on to build a diverse post-Thrones career, from romantic leads in Me Before You (2016) to her recent role as G’iah in Marvel’s Secret Invasion (2023), a performance praised as “terrific” and proof of her versatility.

For fans, however, Daenerys Targaryen remains her definitive role—the one that will forever define her in television history. Still, Clarke continues to prove that her career is not defined by a single character or a single misfire.

A Career Larger Than One Film

In Hollywood, one flop rarely erases years of talent and dedication, and Clarke embodies that resilience. Terminator Genisys may have been a disappointment both personally and critically, but it remains just one chapter in a career that continues to evolve.

As Clarke looks to the future, fans can rest assured: her best work may still be ahead.

Would you like me to shape this piece more as a behind-the-scenes exposé on the troubled Genisys production, or keep it balanced with Clarke’s career resilience and post-Thrones trajectory?