James Cameron sold the rights to 'Terminator' back in the '80s for $1 - and it's one of his biggest regrets

There was a time when James Cameron, who now has both "Titanic" and "Aliens" to his name, was an unknown Canadian director.

"$4" was the only film credit to his name.

Because he wasn't an established name, nobody trusted him to direct "The Terminator," a crazy time travel story involving robots that he literally dreamed up.

In order to bring his own idea to life, Cameron had to sell the rights to it for an incredibly low amount of money.

Cameron told the Toronto Sun back in 2009, he $4 to producer Gale Anne Hurd. The stipulation of this agreement was that Cameron would be allowed to direct "The Terminator."

"The Terminator" went on $4 and launch a TV series and four sequels. The most recent sequel, "$4," opens on July 1.

Cameron isn't doing too badly right now, but he still deeply regrets this decision.

"I wish I hadn't sold the rights for one dollar," $4. "If I had a little time machine and I could only send back something the length of a tweet, it'd be - 'Don't sell.' "

Since the release of "The Terminator" in 1984, the franchise has grossed a total of $4.

Cameron's decision also had major consequences on the future of the franchise. Because Cameron didn't own the rights, they $4. A new trilogy, starting with "Genisys" was launched in a hurry.

However, James Cameron gets the "Terminator" rights $4.

It has been 24 years since "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," but fans could see Cameron's fingerprints on the beloved franchise again very soon.