Oscar-Winning Director James Cameron Forcefully Fought With Arnold Schwarzenegger Over Lunch Before Casting Him for the Terminator- Here’s Why

It may seem implausible, but there was a time when a studio could force Hollywood fame director James Cameron to follow their words. In 1982, when the Avatar director was 29, he got a directive from Orion and Hemdale studio to meet young Arnold Schwarzenegger for lunch. Though initially hesitant, the budding director could not turn the offer down.

The studios thought the rising European star would be a good fit for their $6 million sci-fi film. However, James had other plans. The young director worked on a plan to mar the studio’s project but got stunned instead.

The lunch that changed James Cameron’s idea for Arnold Schwarzenegger

Much like the studios, Arnold’s agents, too, were working hard to establish ‘Schwarzenegger’ as a brand. They wanted their client, who at that point was transitioning from bodybuilding to acting, to be considered for the role of Kyle Reese. The warrior hero from the movie, the part that Michael Biehn eventually played.

James, from the very beginning, thought the idea to be absurd. Considering Arnold’s monstrous size and background, he has convinced that the role won’t suit Arnold. He, thus, planned to attend the lunch primarily to appease the studios. But all he wanted was to pick a fight with Arnold to make the whole idea go away. However, the lunch date became the starting point of their decade long-bromance. Something that would impact both the men’s life courses.

Read More: “He Didn’t Had a Clue”: Bodybuilding Rival Frank Zane Once Helped Arnold Schwarzenegger Academically During Their Prime

Arnold charmed Cameron and altered the perspectives that he was carrying earlier. Though Cameron was assigned the task of lobbying Arnold, he couldn’t stop talking about villains. As Arnold was talking, James began to draw his sketch on his notepad. The discussion, as detailed in the award-winning biopic podcast– Blockbuster: The Story of James Cameron (fourth episode), also saw Arnold giving insightful inputs.

When Schwarzenegger impressed James Cameron 

Sharing his input on how the villain should behave, Arnold commented, “He should be like a machine…no expression whatsoever.” As the two men talked, they realized they had more things in common- both were immigrants, liked motorcycles, and had a passion for movies. As the lunch drew close, James reached into his pocket to fetch the wallet, only to realize it was missing.

Jumping in for the rescue, Arnold that day ended up paying for the lunch. As the day ended unexpectedly for the Titanic director, he returned with a firm resolve. When the studio enquired James about Arnold, the Oscar-winning director made it clear that he has the perfect man for the titular role of- THE TERMINATOR! Eventually, the movie will establish Arnold as an action movie star, Cameron as a visionary director, and a friendship that is talked about even today!

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