News from the Helpers' Network US for fans of Beauty and the Beast..

"This is the beginning of an article on T3 in the current online edition of Entertainment Weekly. Thought the portion dealing with Linda Hamilton was both characteristic and interesting.

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The Terminator will be back for the third instalment, but other main characters will not.

Warner Bros. Pictures won a bidding war earlier this month, plunking down a reported $50 million for the right to distribute what may be the most expensive movie ever made: ''Terminator 3: The Rise of the Machines.'' With a leather-clad Ah-nuld returning to the battle-hardened franchise, analysts say the deal is a near-certain
coup for Warners (two outside production companies are funding the majority of a budget that could reach $170 million).

But before ''T3'' rumbles into theaters on July 4, 2003, moviegoers who've memorized every Austrian-accented quip from the first two films will have to adjust to some changes. ''Terminator'' auteur James Cameron will be gone, as will be stars Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong, leaving Shwarzenegger as the sole returning creative force. Jonathan Mostow (''U-571'') will direct from a script by John Brancato and Michael Ferris (''The Game'') -- and a female Terminator will be along for a ride. Here's what else to expect:

Sarah Connor: Terminated After starring as waitress-turned-warrior Sarah Connor in the first two movies, Linda Hamilton (once married to James Cameron) opted out of ''Terminator 3.'' ''I retired as a champ,'' she tells EW.com, explaining that the role reached its peak in the second movie. But she was less diplomatic in an October interview with the English newspaper The Independent. ''I read the script and it didn't take my character in any new direction,'' Hamilton said. ''It was like a no-win situation for me. The best I could hope for was that I wouldn't be compared too unfavourably with myself 10 years ago. Without Jim breathing the breath of life into the film? No thank you.'' Rather than attempt a ''Hannibal''-style actress transplant, ''T3'''s producers have sliced Sarah Connor out of the script. ''They may have said, 'If we can't get her, why bother,''' says Hamilton's manager, Bobbie Edrick. ''It's better to write the role out than try to replace her.''

Apologies for delay, we had a hard drive problem last week that I'm still cleaning up after. Steff

Helpers' Network US

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