The first trailer for Terminator: Dark Fate is here, but what song plays over the footage? There was a point in time when the Terminator franchise was peak sci-fi cinema; 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day was the highest-grossing film of the year and critically acclaimed. But the three films that followed were largely underwhelming and saw diminishing box office returns. After 2015's Terminator: Genisys failed to launch the trilogy it intended, the rights reverted back to original creator James Cameron, who is producing Dark Fate for director Tim Miller.
Dark Fate retcons Terminator continuity by serving as a direct sequel to Judgment Day, with veterans Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising their iconic roles. Paramount got the buzz started with a presentation at CinemaCon earlier this year, where they showcased a sizzle reel spotlighting the action and new characters. The general public didn't get to see that footage, but they've now been treated to a teaser trailer, which includes a very suitable soundtrack.
The Terminator: Dark Fate trailer features a cover of Björk's "Hunter." It's the latest theatrical preview to incorporate the trope of a slowed down pop song (see also: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil) to set the mood and atmosphere.
Lyrically, "Hunter" relates to Dark Fate due to the lines "I'm going hunting" and "I'm the hunter." The films have always been about killer cyborgs searching for their prey; this time, it looks to be Gabriel Luna's Terminator trying to kill Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes). Sarah Connor (Hamilton) and Grace (Mackenzie Davis) are the ones tasked with protecting Dani. How the young girl factors into the narrative and why she's so important remain to be seen. "Hunter" also helps establish the tone of Dark Fate sonically. It's by no means a lighthearted romp, and (seemingly) neither will the film. It looks to be a serious return to the property's roots, so "Hunter" is an appropriate selection.
Still, it's a little disappointing to not hear Brad Fiedel's iconic Terminator score in the trailer, especially since looks at Sarah Connor and Schwarzenegger's Terminator conjure up nostalgia for the original films. That being said, there are still about six months to go until the film's release (as of this writing), meaning there will be plenty of other marketing materials coming out during the campaign. It would be a wasted opportunity if future Dark Fate trailers and TV spots didn't make use of the franchise's main theme, so fans should expect to hear it at some point.
