Renowned franchises often have fascinating stories surrounding their casting, budget, marketing, and different elements of the movies. And when it comes to fans who are passionate about the films, they find the stories downright intriguing. So today, we’re here with interesting facts surrounding Arnold Schwarzenegger and his $2B franchise.
Leading The Terminator series for years wasn’t an easy job for Arnold Schwarzenegger, especially since he almost lost the titular role. But surprisingly, because of his one simple trait, the veteran actor became the leading choice for James Cameron, over other actors.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Almost Lost His Terminator Role
The story of The Terminator dates back to 1994 when James Cameron was yet to be an acclaimed filmmaker. However, his project idea for the $2B franchise was impressive enough to grab the attention of producer Mike Medavoy at Orion. But, certainly, the director was sat down and told to cast actors of Medavoy’s choice.
While co-screenwriter and producer Gale Anne Hur, told Entertainment Weekly, “Lance Henriksen was originally going to play the Terminator”, the actor was eventually rejected for O.J. Simpson. Apparently, Mike Medavoy wanted Simpson for the villainous role of the Terminator in the movies and named Arnold Schwarzenegger for the role of Kyle Reese.
“Gale and I just looked at each other and thought, ‘You’ve got to be f- - -ing kidding me.’ Mind you, this was before O.J. was actually a killer. We might have reconsidered after he had [allegedly] killed his wife. [Laughs]…frankly I wasn’t interested in an African-American man chasing around a white girl with a knife. It just felt wrong.” James Cameron shared.
Unwilling to settle for Mike Medavoy’s choice, James Cameron discussed auditioning Arnold Schwarzenegger for the role of Kyle Reese. Unfortunately, the director couldn’t fit Schwarzenegger in the role of Reese, especially after he came out with Conan the Barbarian.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s One Trait Won Him The $2B Role
It felt like Arnold Schwarzenegger almost lost his titular villainous role to O.J. Simpson, and wasn’t fit for the role of Kyle Reese either. But, there was something more worthy stored for him. As Schwarzenegger went to have a face-to-face discussion with James Cameron about his role as Kyle Reese, the actor shared his ideas about the character of Terminator.
“I could visualize very clearly what the Terminator should look like. And so when I met Cameron to talk about Kyle Reese, I gave him all these points: This is what you should do with the Terminator, this is how the Terminator should act.” Schwarzenegger shared.
Sharing his ideas with James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger won over the director, and instead of booking his role as Kyle Reese, he landed the role of Terminator. Impressed with the actor’s one simple trait of clearly visualizing the titular role, Cameron was convinced to offer him the villainous role, although the producer wanted O.J. Simpson.
“I was building my career, being a leading man and not being a villain. But Cameron said that he’d shoot it in such a way that all the evil stuff that I do will be totally excused by audiences.”
Thus, even Arnold Schwarzenegger accepted the role of Terminator, although he wasn’t initially interested. Thereafter, the actor created a legacy with the movies and turned it into a $2B franchise.
Watch the Terminator movies on Apple TV.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
