Edward Furlong, the actor who shot to fame as a teenager playing John Connor in the 1991 sci-fi classic Terminator 2: Judgment Day, is making a surprise comeback at age 48. He is set to appear at the Melbourne Metro Comic Con on July 17-18, 2026, alongside his on-screen mother Linda Hamilton, as the film celebrates its 35th anniversary.
From Child Star to Rehab: Furlong's Troubled Past
Furlong was just 13 when he landed the iconic role opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, portraying John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance against Skynet. Despite his early success, he struggled with drug addiction for years, entering rehab for the first time in 2000. In a 2022 interview with the Daily Mail, he said: 'When I was younger, I didn’t have too many people looking out for me and I was left to run wild. I didn’t know how to manage my money. If I was older, I wouldn’t have made so many bad decisions.'
His legal troubles included a 2009 divorce from actress Rachael Bella, after their then six-year-old son tested positive for cocaine following a visit with Furlong. He later served 180 days in jail for domestic battery against a girlfriend and received a suspended sentence in 2016 for drug charges, requiring him to complete a six-month rehab program. He eventually spent a year at a California rehab center and announced in 2022 that he had been sober for four years.
A New Chapter: Sobriety and Convention Appearances
In 2024, Furlong revealed he is now sober and has been making convention appearances, looking markedly different from his youthful days. Speaking about his turnaround, he said: 'It feels great to be back on set and sober too. I didn’t feel hungover when I went to work. There’s other sober people at work which is weird because if you’re not sober, you’re not hanging out with the other sober people. It was cool.'
The Melbourne Metro Comic Con organizers announced his appearance on social media, stating: 'Metro Citizens, there is no fate but what we make! We are absolutely stoked to announce that 90s icon EDWARD FURLONG is heading to Metro Comic Con! Back in 1991, he taught a cybernetic assassin how to high-five and then saved humanity as John Connor in the sci-fi masterpiece Terminator 2: Judgment Day.' They added that Furlong would join Linda Hamilton for a 'bucket-list T2 reunion,' including a combined guest panel, professional photo opportunities, and an exclusive meet-and-greet.
Fan Excitement and Upcoming Re-Release
Fans have reacted enthusiastically to the announcement, with one commenting: 'Linda and Edward duo photo! Epic!' Another said: 'Killing it with these guests.' After Terminator 2, Furlong starred in other notable 1990s films such as Pet Sematary Two, Detroit Rock City, and American History X. His most recent film credit is the 2024 movie Unspeakable: Beyond The Wall Of Sleep.
To mark its 35th anniversary, Terminator 2: Judgment Day will be re-released in theaters in the US on August 28 and in the UK on September 4, giving fans a chance to see Furlong's iconic debut on the big screen once again.
