The Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator wrote an open letter to Halcyon Co. bosses after learning they were auctioning the franchise as part of the company's bankruptcy process.

Offering the five-figure sum, he proclaimed, "I loved the movies, even the later movies. I loved the mythology. I loved the TV show (The Sarah Connor Chronicles) - like, really loved. Not for pretend."

But Halcyon chiefs are hoping for a figure 7,000 times higher when the rights go under the hammer in January (10), and are determined to make a profit on the $30 million (£18.75 million) they paid for the franchise in 2003.

Spokesperson Kevin Schultz tells Daily Variety, "This is a unique asset - the only Hollywood tentpole asset that's not owned by a studio.

"We have a property that has made three times the box office of the four (Teenage Mutant Ninja) Turtles films."

The last installment, Terminator Salvation, cost $200 million (£125 million) to make and took an estimated $371 million (£231.9 million) worldwide.