DeadlineHollywoodDaily (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com) reveals that Lionsgate has emerged as the frontrunner to acquire the rights to the "Terminator" franchise from the Halycon Group, the current owners to the rights to the franchise. The studio has put up an offer of $15 million and a 5% cut of future gross receipts.

Lionsgate's potential acquisition of the project would allow the studio to have freedom to the rights to future "Terminator" sequels, TV series and merchandising.

It is unclear if Lionsgate (or whatever studio chooses to outbid Lionsgate for the franchise) plans to move forward on "Terminator 5" with the same crew involved with "Terminator Salvation."