Terminator: Dark Fate's Sarah Connor can now technically be described as a Disney Princess, thanks to the film's international distribution. Played by Linda Hamilton, the character first appeared in James Cameron's 1984 science-fiction epic. Destined to be the mother of humanity's supposed savior, the then-unassuming waitress was visited by both a terrifying humanoid machine known as The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) seeking to kill her, and a human warrior named Kyle Reese in an effort to protect her. A sequel, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, followed seven years later. Reprising her role, the even more highly-lauded follow-up centered on a now battle-hardened warrior version of Hamilton's character - as she took a more direct role in protecting her now teenage son alongside a reprogrammed T-800 (Schwarzenegger again) and actively prevent the prophesized apocalypse.
What followed was a slew of lesser sequels like Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, aborted attempts at new trilogies starting with Terminator Salvation, and critically-derided reboot endeavors like Terminator: Genisys. Though Schwarzenegger would return to some degree for each of the outings, Hamilton only returned for an often forgotten voice cameo in 2009's Salvation. She would later deem each of those efforts to be forgettable. Agreeing with her sentiments, it was confirmed in 2017 that Cameron would return to oversee a new installment. With Deadpool's Tim Miller signing on to direct, it was announced Hamilton would finally return physically and that everything after T2 would be struck from the franchise canon.
Already released in the United Kingdom, Terminator: Dark Fate has garnered positive reviews. Coincidentally, it's this very early release that makes Sarah Connor eligible for Disney Princess status. Though the latest installment is being distributed by Paramount in North America and Tencent Pictures in China, other such territories as the U.K. is being handled by 20th Century Fox. And, as most will have assuredly have heard by now, Fox was recently purchased by Disney. As such, a lot of franchises that wouldn't often be associated with the House of Mouse were brought firmly under their umbrella. Handling the distribution personally is one of their first overt efforts with one such acquired franchise and establishes the science-fiction heroine as officially one of their characters.
Of course, that technically only counts in the U.K. but where better to crown a new Princess than a country where a monarchy still rules? However, it's pretty much guaranteed that Sarah Connor won't join the official 12 Princesses - which currently include Snow White, Cinderella, and Moana - but there are plenty of unofficial Disney Princesses to which Sarah Connor could rank alongside. The fact that the character is live-action is no obstacle, with many already widely considering such characters as Carrie Fisher's Leia a Disney princess since the company purchased Lucasfilm and assumed control of the Star Wars franchise.
Even the fact that Sarah is not of royal descent or royal by marriage is hardly an argument against, with numerous characters, including Mulan, having no such ties and earning their status through heroic deeds. And deeds don't come more heroic than battling unstoppable killing machines across various stages of your life. Not to mention staving off a technological apocalypse or two. Obviously, however, there will be plenty of fans who do push back against the idea and will deem it somewhat ridiculous. While they may have a point, it makes it no less technically true. Regardless, however, the idea of Sarah Connor serving as a foul-mouthed, grenade-launching, Terminator-crushing iteration of a Disney Princess is certainly a fun one. As well as a huge leap forward in Disney Princesses being no longer damsels in distress and managing their own destinies. And it will surely add an amusing twist on proceedings when Terminator: Dark Fate officially makes it stateside.
