Why Emilia Clarke Hated Filming Terminator Genisys—And the Director’s Struggles

Emilia Clarke, widely known for her iconic role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, recently shared her candid thoughts on one of her film projects after the show’s success—Terminator Genisys. Despite the film’s high-profile nature and Clarke’s growing star power, the experience wasn’t one she looks back on fondly.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Clarke recalled her time working on Terminator Genisys, a 2015 reboot of the Terminator franchise. The film marked a reunion for Clarke with director Alan Taylor, who had previously directed several episodes of Game of Thrones, including the dramatic Season 1 finale, “Fire and Blood.” However, according to Clarke, the dynamic wasn’t the same this time around.

“He was not the director I remembered,” Clarke confessed. “He didn’t have a good time. No one had a good time.” Taylor, she explained, was “eaten and chewed up” during the production, which reflected the overall discontent on set. Despite the star-studded cast, including Clarke as Sarah Connor, the film’s behind-the-scenes tensions seemed to have translated to a lackluster finished product.

Terminator Genisys was met with generally negative reviews, earning a dismal 26% approval rating from 263 critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics pointed out that the film failed to meet the high expectations set by the iconic Terminator franchise. Keith Garlington of Keith & the Movies wrote, “A Terminator film brings with it certain high expectations, and Genisys doesn’t meet them.” Despite this, the movie performed moderately well at the box office, grossing $440 million worldwide against a production budget of $155 million. However, its underwhelming reception led to the cancellation of planned sequels.

For Clarke, the aftermath of Terminator Genisys was a mixture of relief and reflection. “I was relieved I didn’t have to do the sequel,” she admitted, highlighting her lack of enthusiasm for continuing the franchise. Though her portrayal of Sarah Connor was a significant moment in her career, the film didn’t provide the expected career boost. Still, it didn’t hinder her trajectory either. Clarke went on to achieve great success in other projects, most notably her role as G’iah in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Secret Invasion, where she received praise for her performance.

While Terminator Genisys may not have been the film that defined Clarke’s career, it also didn’t overshadow the legacy she cemented as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. Her portrayal of the “Mother of Dragons” remains one of the most beloved roles in television history, and despite setbacks along the way, Emilia Clarke’s talent continues to shine in the diverse roles she takes on.