A.V. Opinions: John Connor should’ve grown up to look like Norman Reedus
John Connor was supposed to grow up to be a grizzled, world-weary badass, not whatever the hell Hollywood keeps trying to sell us. He was supposed to grow up to look like Norman Reedus. Yeah, that’s right—if there’s anyone on this planet who looks like they could’ve grown up from Edward Furlong’s snot-nosed, leather-jacket-wearing rebel from “Terminator 2,” it’s Norman freaking Reedus. Not Christian Bale. Not Nick Stahl. Reedus, with his scruffy, don't-give-a-damn attitude, is what John Connor was meant to be all along.
Think about it. Reedus, as Daryl Dixon in “The Walking Dead,” embodies everything John Connor should have evolved into. He’s rough around the edges, a natural survivor, and when the chips are down, he’s exactly who you want in your corner. He’s not just some lone wolf; he’s also got that reluctant leadership vibe, the guy who doesn’t want the responsibility but takes it because he’s damn good at it. Now add some tech skills, a tragic backstory involving killer robots, and boom—you’ve got the perfect John Connor.
But instead of that, we got Christian Bale in “Terminator Salvation.” And don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate “Salvation.” It’s grown on me over the years; the grim future war setting is right up my alley. But Bale? As John Connor? Come on. I have to squint my eyes every time I watch it and just pretend Furlong’s John somehow went through some radical, unexplained body swap. Bale’s John is all intense glares and grumpy speeches, but there’s zero connection to the kid from “T2.” This is not the street-smart, rebellious kid who spent his childhood hacking ATMs and outrunning cops. This is Bruce Wayne with a scar and a severe case of PTSD.
And don’t even get me started on Nick Stahl in “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” I’ll admit, “T3” is a guilty pleasure—I actually enjoy it for what it is. I love the crane chase sequence and the bleak ending. But Stahl as John Connor? Not buying it for a second. That’s not the kid who’s destined to be humanity’s savior. That’s some random dude who looks like he wandered in from another movie set. I mean, are we really supposed to believe that Edward Furlong’s John went from stealing motorcycles and blasting Guns N’ Roses to… this? In just a few years? No way.
Reedus, on the other hand, would bring the perfect blend of grit and vulnerability to an older John Connor. He’s the guy who can hotwire a car, rig a bomb, and then rally the troops when all hope seems lost. That’s the John Connor we’ve been waiting for—the one who feels like a natural progression from the punk kid we fell in love with.
The Terminator franchise had so many chances to get it right, but they just couldn’t nail the casting. It’s like they were terrified of going with an actor who might actually look like he’s been through hell and back. Reedus is 55 now, and he still has that lived-in, world-weary look that screams, “I’ve been fighting zombies and robots my entire life, and I’m tired, but I’ll keep going because humanity needs me.” That's the kind of John Connor we deserve, not some clean-cut, action-movie hero bullshit we keep getting.
If AI ever gets to the point where we can do seamless deepfake edits, my first project will be putting Furlong back into “T3” where he belongs and swapping in Norman Reedus for “Salvation.” I’m not saying those movies would instantly become masterpieces, but they’d at least look like they had some continuity. And hey, if anyone in Hollywood is listening—maybe it’s not too late for a proper Terminator sequel with Old Man John Connor as played by Norman Reedus. Let’s f*cking go!!!
-Brad McBoom