Ridley Scott, the acclaimed director behind such films as Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator, has revealed that he turned down a $20 million offer to direct Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. In a recent Q&A with The Guardian, Scott, 87, confirmed long-standing rumors that he was considered to direct the 2003 sequel. Scott stated, "I'm proud about this. I turned down a $20 million fee. See, I can't be bought, dude".

Scott explained that he was initially intrigued by the offer and even entertained the idea of accepting it. He humorously recounted how someone suggested he ask for the same salary as Arnold Schwarzenegger, the star of the Terminator franchise. Scott, not expecting the studio to agree, made the request. To his surprise, they accepted. "When they said yes, I thought: 'F--- me,'" Scott recalled.

Despite the enticing offer and the prospect of matching Schwarzenegger's payday, Scott ultimately decided to decline the project. He realized that the Terminator franchise simply wasn't a good fit for his directorial style. "But I couldn't do it. It's not my thing," Scott explained.

Scott elaborated on his reasons for turning down the film, stating that he viewed the Terminator franchise as "pure comic strip". He felt that his inclination to "make it real" would clash with the established tone and essence of the series. Scott also drew a parallel to the James Bond movies, noting that "The essence of a Bond movie is fun and camp". He believed that his approach would "f--- it up," which is why he has never been asked to direct a Bond film.

Released in 2003, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines was ultimately directed by Jonathan Mostow, following James Cameron's departure from the franchise after directing the first two films. While the film was a commercial success, it received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike.

Scott's decision to turn down Terminator 3 highlights his commitment to projects that align with his artistic vision. Throughout his illustrious career, Scott has demonstrated a preference for films where he can apply his signature visual style and explore thematic depth. His filmography includes Alien (1979), Blade Runner (1982), Thelma & Louise (1991), and Gladiator (2000), all of which showcase his unique cinematic sensibilities.

The $20 million offer to direct Terminator 3 would have made Scott one of the highest-paid directors at the time. For comparison, Arnold Schwarzenegger's salary for the film was a record-setting $29.25 million, making him the highest-paid actor in the world then. Scott's rejection of the offer underscores his artistic integrity and willingness to forgo financial gain in favor of projects that resonate with him creatively.

In the same interview where he discussed turning down Terminator 3, Scott also mentioned that a third Gladiator film is currently "in process". He also stated that he would consider directing another Alien prequel if he comes up with the right idea. Scott's most recent film was Gladiator 2, which was released in November 2024 and starred Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington. The film grossed $454 million at the box office, surpassing the original Gladiator's $451 million.