'Terminator' star didn't think she had 'the look'

[Brian Damage]

Petite actress and accomplished ballerina Summer Glau wasn't sure she could play the role of a murderous robot from the future.




"I'm short and I just didn't think that I had that 'Terminator' look," says Glau during a conference call with reporters.




Glau stars in "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" as Cameron Phillips, an infiltration unit sent from the future to protect John Connor.




"The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is a continuation of the classic "Terminator" franchise, and picks up where the story left off after the second film of the series.




Speaking in a monotone and oblivious to ordinary conversation skills, Cameron learns how to fit in while trying to serve as John's protector.




John Connor is the future leader of the human resistance, but until he grows up and fulfills his destiny, his mother Sarah has sworn to do watch she can to keep him safe.




On the run from an evil cyborg, Sarah and John meet up with Cameron, who takes them to an alternate version of the future. Their goal is to track down the beginnings of "Skynet," the first self-aware computer system to enslave humanity.




"We're not trying to recreate Arnold Schwarzenegger. We're doing a completely different Terminator, and that makes me feel safe because I don't have to try to follow in his footsteps," says Glau.




Raised and trained as a dancer, Glau moved to Los Angeles from San Antonio, Texas, to further her acting career. She's appeared in numerous guest appearances on series such as "CSI" and "Cold Case," but is best known for her role as River Tam on "Firefly."




"It's been great, you know, as a girl playing a role like this. I always look for roles that make me feel good about being a woman, and that's not always easy," says Glau.




"I think on our show in particular, we're so empowered and we have a place of importance in the script. It's really gratifying as an actress."

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