The Terminator films have become synonymous with the recurring catchphrase "I'll be back," but there's one movie where no character actually says it. It's a moment everyone remembers, when in 1984's The Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800 first utters the words "I'll be back." Arnold has just been denied entry to a police station by the cop at the front desk, and after saying the immortal line, he drives through the front door and goes on a killing spree. It doesn't pay to be housing Sarah Connor when the T-800 comes calling.
"I'll be back" is one of the most iconic lines in movie history, which is kind of funny in hindsight, since Arnold tried to get director James Cameron to change it to the more robotic "I will be back." Thankfully, an exasperated Cameron told his star to stick to acting and let him write the script, and a catchphrase was born. Arnold's reprogrammed T-800 says the line again in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, John Connor said it in Terminator Salvation, Arnold's "Pops" says it again in Terminator Genisys, and Sarah Connor herself gets a chance in Terminator: Dark Fate.
One could argue the need to work "I'll be back" into every script has gotten a bit forced, but it's a good bet that diehard Terminator fans end up pleased the next time it's uttered. Yet, there's one Terminator movie where not a single character promises to be back.
The Only Terminator Movie Where No One Says "I'll Be Back"
In 2003's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Arnold Schwarzenegger once again played a T-800 programmed to protect John Connor, and this time also his future wife Kate Brewster. Despite that, Arnold never says "I'll be back," and neither do of any of the threequel's other characters. Arnold's T-800 comes close at least, saying "She'll be back" in reference to the T-X villain, and also saying "I'm back," when he comes to John and Kate's rescue.
One wonders if Arnold will ever get another chance to let out another "I'll be back," as after Terminator: Dark Fate's dismal box office, the prospects of a Terminator 7 anytime soon look pretty bleak. Perhaps they should've given Arnold's Carl character the line in Dark Fate, as Linda Hamilton has made it clear she felt awkward having Sarah Connor appropriate it. Until if and when a Terminator 7 materializes, Terminator 3 will continue to hold the odd distinction of not having anyone pledge to return at a later time.