Join DSTRobert as he takes you inside the development of the Terminator 2 Minimates line with behind-the-scenes info in the first of a three part feature! In Part 1, we examine the character selection process and the structure of our Terminator 2 Minimate release plan!

The Terminator franchise is probably one of the most dearly held franchises in the minds of sci-fi fans and pop culture fanatics alike. Being given the opportunity to translate T2 into Minimate form was both an exciting and scary prospect, in that we would have the chance to interpret some of our favorite and most iconic characters but we would have to contend with everyone’s expectations as to how these characters should look and how they would be executed.

The next hurdle we would need to face was deciding which versions of the characters would work not just as individual Minimates but how multiple variations of characters would be coordinated across the entire line. This was no easy task since nearly all the characters wear the same outfits from the beginning to end of the movie. However under closer scrutiny, both the T-800 and T-1000 Terminators as well as Sarah Connor go through significant appearance changes as well as various stages of damage. The way we coordinated the different character variations was by basically dividing the movie up into different acts and seeing how our star characters would appear and how their appearance changes in relation to their previous and subsequent scenes. So when all is said and done and fans are purchasing their box sets you can literally group them together as they appeared in the prologue, the first act, etc… Along the way we also tried to have a unique character who interacts with the main cast in various scenes, hence the inclusion of some fan favorites we have yet to unveil.

Now for the different versions of the main characters, we wanted to make sure they were distinctive enough from each other while remaining instantly recognizable as being from a specific act. This meant that we had to make sure that they had the appropriate accessories for each look and that the accessories were very specific - the exploded torso, gatling gun and even the T-1000’s extra-pointy, super-stabby finger. Without giving too much away, we hope you will enjoy the T2 Minimates as much as we have enjoyed working on them as you reenact each scene from the prologue to the final battle!

In parts 2 and 3 of this feature, we’ll be featuring guest appearances from all-star Minimates artists DSTUriel and DSTBarry as they present their insights and perspectives on the T2 line and the stunning Terminator 2 Minimates-style poster.

Read Part 2

Read Part 3