Earlier this month, writers Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier were hired by Skydance Productions and Annapurna Pictures to pen the script for the next installment of the Terminator franchise. And though it has not been officially confirmed, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed that he will return to the franchise that spawned his most famous role.

The news came during a London press conference for Schwarzenegger’s new film, The Last Stand, which is currently in theaters. Schwarzenegger stated Terminator is on his slate of upcoming movies along with Triplets - a followup to his 1988 comedy with Danny DeVito, Twins - and a new Conan movie.

The previous film in the franchise, Terminator Salvation, focused on an adult John Connor portrayed by Christian Bale battling against the machines that had nearly wiped out humanity in the wake of Judgment Day. Schwarzenegger’s participation in that film was limited to having his face rotoscoped onto a different body builder’s frame. What his role will entail in the next film is uncertain. Termination Salvation was co-written by John Brancato and Michael Ferris, who also penned the screenplay for Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Both performed below expectations at the box office, and neither film was as well-received as the original The Terminator or Terminator 2: Judgment Day, both of which were co-written and directed by James Cameron.

What direction the story is taking for the fifth film is not yet known. Kalogridis co-wrote Martin Scorsese‘s Shutter Island and was a co-producer on Avatar for Cameron. Lussier co-wrote and directed Drive Angry and My Bloody Valentine.

The Last Stand, Schwarzenegger’s first starring role in 10 years, is currently in theaters. Well-received critically, it is nonetheless underperforming at the box office. You can check out Flickchart’s review of the film here.

via Bleeding Cool and Deadline