Terminator Genisys tops China's box office, making 526 million yuan ($82 million) since its premiere on Aug 23. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Sci-fi production researchers also point out time travel and robots against humans are the "evergreen subjects" that always appeal to Chinese fans.

"For the mainstream moviegoers and early filmmakers," says Xing He, a sci-fi novelist, "the Terminator franchise has been an enlightenment. Its special effects impressed a generation."

A crowdfunding survey launched by the Internet giant Alibaba last year showed more than half of the movie fans were interested in investing in sci-fi titles.

Genisys seems to find more potential in the world's second-largest market.

Early reports say that two sequels are scheduled to be released in the new trilogy in 2017 and 2018.

Paramount Pictures' vice-chairman Rob Moore reveals that there is a good chance some scenes for the next Terminator may be filmed in China.

Enticed by China's vast market and its enthusiastic fans, Moore says they are awaiting the chance as Paramount has made similar choices in previous blockbusters.

Transformers 4, released last year, was shot in several Chinese cities and regions, including Tianjin, Beijing, Chongqing and Hong Kong. The familiar landscapes resonated with Chinese moviegoers and helped the film earn a record 1.9 billion yuan, making it the third-highest earner in mainland box-office history.

Schwarzenegger, who has become part of a generation's memory, told media and fans at a recent appearance in Shanghai that he hopes to work soon with Jackie Chan.

"We are very good friends and we've talked about working together in the future," he says, though details have yet to be worked out.