The cast of “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins” is shifting, with Bryce Dallas Howard in negotiations to replace Charlotte Gainsbourg as Kate Connor, the hero’s wife, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

Singer and actress Charlotte Gainsbourg was forced to withdraw from “Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins” due to a scheduling conflict with another film, a French comedy the title of which has not been given.

Production is already underway in New Mexico, having started in early May, and should a writers’ strike emerge, filming would need to stop and then resume later. Such an event could clash with her other cinematic project.

This brings us to Howard’s being in talks to portray Kate Connor, the wife to Christian Bale’s character, John Connor. Howard will join a cast including Sam Worthington as Marcus, Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.

“Charlie’s Angels” director McG is helming the fourth installment in the “Terminator” franchise from a script by Michael Ferris and John Brancato.

The film’s release date has been set for May 22, 2009, as announced by distributor Warner Bros. earlier this year, to strategically coincide with the U. S. Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Warner Bros. will distribute “Terminator Salvation” in North America due to its contract with Halcyon Co., which owns the franchise rights. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group will handle international distribution.

The new film’s storyline has been carefully guarded but what is known is that plot is an integral part of a trilogy beginning after Skynet has destroyed the greater part of humanity in a nuclear holocaust.

The first two films in the series, 1984’s “Terminator” and 1991’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” both written and directed by James Cameron, made box office history and catapulted Arnold Schwarzenegger into superstardom. “T2” grossed $204 million in the U. S. and $516 million internationally.

The last film in the franchise, 2003’s “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” starred Schwarzenegger once again as well as Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, and Kristanna Loken. It was directed by Jonathan Mostow and grossed an impressive $150.4 million domestically and $433 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

Schwarzenegger, Stahl, and Danes are returning for the new film.

Howard last appeared on the big screen as Gwen Stacy in “Spider-Man 3” and next stars in the “The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond,” based on a little known screenplay by Tennessee Williams.