Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

In T3, we see a prime example of a franchise become self-reflexive, constantly referencing its own tropes and conventions, often for the purpose of parody. The Terminator franchise could almost be seen to follow Schatz's model of generic evolution, from primitive to established to parody - an overly simple account, but strangely fitting.

In some ways, the franchise is constructed according to the same principles as the destiny-based narrative of the films: Judgement Day will inevitably happen and John Connor will lead the resistance with Kate Brewster at his side, just as a Terminator film will inevitably feature a character hunted by an advanced killing machine and protected by a friend from the future. The specifics of when, where, who and how vary from film to film, but those basic principles invariably remain.