The rights to the 'Terminator' film franchise have just been snapped up in advance of producing a new flick, according to Variety. Halcyon Inc. purchased the rights from the current owners with a goal in mind.  There are already plans in place for a summer 2009 release of the first in what is intended to be a new trilogy, picking up with an adult John Connor as he and his friends begin their battle against the machines.  A script has been written from T3 scribes John Brancato and Michael Ferris, but no other plot details have yet been leaked.  Arnold Schwarzenegger will not be returning, nor will director James Cameron.

"With 'T3,' we included many incidental details and plot points that, along with the main narrative, set the stage for an entirely new set of interrelated stories covering the future adventures of John Connor and the Terminators," T3 producer Moritz Borman said. "This new Terminator trilogy will build upon the already huge worldwide Terminator fan base."

This should not affect the current production of "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," which center on the lives of Sarah and young John between the events of T2 and T3.  The buzz for the new series has been growing, and the unofficial word around town is that Fox will be announcing a pickup soon.  (Summer Glau fans, give a cheer.)