He’s back. Complete with eyewear created by Los Angeles-based Sama Eyewear. It’s been a decade since John Connor (actor Nick Stahl) save the world from mass destruction in the film “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” In “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” a Warner Brothers. Pictures film, which will be released domestically on July 2, and internationally from July through September, Connor meets the T-X Terminatrix (Kristanna Loken), a powerful, sophisticated machine who has been sent back to kill him. Connor’s only hope is to team up with the Terminator, his former assassin—Arnold Schwarzenegger. Together they must triumph over the technologically superior T-X or face the fall of civilization.
Here Arnold Schwarzenegger talks with 20/20 about the Terminator, and, of course, eyewear.
How do you use eyewear to define your character in the Terminator?
Everything in the three Terminator films has always broken new ground—from the story line of the first film (“The Terminator”) to the incredible effects and stunts in “T3.” Viewers expect this movie to be as good if not better than the first two. So the look of the character is very important. The Terminator has become an icon over the past two decades. For me, putting on the Terminator wardrobe—whether it’s 10 days or 10 years later—is like putting on a comfortable shirt. The boots, leather pants, jacket and, of course, the glasses create the character for me. As soon as I am in wardrobe, I step back into the Terminator immediately.
Why did you select Sama Eyewear for Terminator 3?
The character had to be consistent, but updated for T3. We needed something that would make sense for the Cyborg returning to 2003. At one point, he wears a pair of star-shaped glasses with colored lenses—which was funny but for fans to take the Terminator seriously—the eyeglasses could not be too out there. They had to bring the fans back to where we left off with “Judgment Day.” The filmmakers wanted something futuristic, strong and new, but not too extreme—it had to fit the Terminator in his human form on earth. We went through so many frames, but we knew when we had the perfect pair—because I became the Cyborg I was 10 years ago—immediately.
What styles of sunglasses do you like for your own personal use?
I am a pretty casual yet classic dresser. I make my personal statement with boots and shoes more than any other accessories. When selecting my own glasses, I have a range of styles I like and wear depending on what I am doing. I’m very active and spend a lot of time outside—riding my motorcycle, playing tennis with the kids or coaching them in soccer, skiing, horseback riding or just going around town. I look for something that looks good, but also is functional for serious sports, sun and glare.
What type of eyewear would you use to define/suggest a strong personality?
Strong personalities take more risks and wear what they want regardless of what the fashion magazines or stores are showing. They are individualistic and more adventurous. They want to be noticed. They want to stand out in the crowd.
Which celebrities do you think wear really cool shades?
There are so many people who are wearing really interesting shades these days, but Samuel Jackson and Jack Nicholson are two guys who always make a great statement with their eyeglasses—indoors and out. Jack is at every Lakers game in his sunglasses. Another person, a great musician who makes an incredible statement with glasses, is Bono from U2. He has made his eyewear his signature even on stage.
What impact do you think celebrities and the film business have had on sunwear?
Celebrities have an unusual ability to help set trends due in part to the extensive media coverage on and off set. And wardrobe and props have become an important part of creating the look of certain characters in movies. Tom Cruise, for example, in “Risky Business,” “Top Gun” and “Mission Impossible” helped create trends because the eyewear was such an important part of his characters. And Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones brought back certain fashion trends with “Men in Black.” When a movie is released in thousands of theaters across the country and thousands of markets around the world and has a marketing campaign with advertisements, posters, trailers and TV commercials, the instant exposure to millions of people ignites demand. And off screen with entertainment programs, awards shows, magazines and, of course, the Internet, the fans really get to see celebrities and their personal style in their day-to-day life—what car they drive, what clothes they wear, what sunglasses they buy. This all contributes to the impact celebrities have on creating a trend. —Gloria Nicola
About Terminator Eyewear
“When we were presented with the ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines’ film project, it was immediately noted there was an iconic image that needed to be preserved, but with a fresh interpretation,” says Sama Eyewear founder and designer Sheila Vance. “Films are becoming increasingly complex through the use of highly advanced computer graphics and digital components and, accordingly, every element is crucial in terms of contributing to a consistently powerful aesthetic and feel, which is essentially a work of art. This is exactly what inspired us in customizing the T3 eyewear, in conjunction, of course, with the visions of the director Jonathan Mostow and costume designer April Ferry.”
T3 Eyewear, which debuts at Vision Expo East this month, is engineered so it doesn’t impede the Terminator’s extreme level of activity in action sequences, Vance says. The frame is performance-ready with a sleek aerodynamic design, which accommodates high speed and provides ventilation. Features include a zyl shell with a beta-titanium core and Rubberon (mold-injected silicone) components that provide superior grip. The frame is equipped with Prolite six- and eight-base curve lenses with polarized gradient treatments. Produced in Japan, the T3 comes in a variety of sizes and colors, suitable to a multicultural consumer base of men and women.
In selecting eyewear for the film, “Terminator 3,” director Jonathan Mostow says the prop master obtained literally hundreds of sunglasses. “We paired it down to about 30 styles—all of which Arnold tried personally,” the director notes. “Sama was the winner. It’s a great look for Arnold. There was chemistry as soon as he put it on. We wanted eyewear that looked meaty, like it could sustain the enormous amount of action scenes in T3.”
Sunglasses are a hot item on the set Mostow notes. “Of all the props used in the movie, the sunglass is the one everyone wants,” he says. “It’s rare to be able to make a choice that has such a strong effect on fashion as I expect this sunglass to have. Once you see these glasses, you’re going to want them.”
—GN | |