James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger have been buddies since they first collaborated to make The Terminator (1984). However, neither had known they would become one of the most iconic actor-director duos in Hollywood history. To this day, Cameron remains exacting with his actors and leads by example. True Lies actor Tom Arnold recalled how the Canadian director did the unthinkable when Schwarzenegger chickened out while filming a challenging scene.

In the early 80s, the bodybuilding icon hadn’t established himself as a bankable action star. Meanwhile, Cameron was one of the many new faces trying to make as a writer/director. However, after the success of The Terminator franchise, the duo collaborated again for True Lies in 1994. According to Tom Arnold, it was Cameron’s most ambitious project yet, and he wouldn’t make any compromises.

Showing Arnold Schwarzenegger how it’s done:

Recently, in an interview with The Ringer, The Ture Lies actor recalled how Cameron inspired his actors while filming challenging scenes. “Jim Cameron, he’s a rawboned, 6-foot-3 fucking Canadian dude, man. He’s ready to go,” Tom told the interviewer. Tom recalled the seven-time Mr. Olympia hesitated before doing what Cameron wanted him to do, so the director did it himself.

“I want you to go down this escalator, jump over, do that,” Cameron told Schwarzenegger. However, the former Mr. Olympia hesitated. “Boy, I don’t know if I could do it,” Schwarzenegger responded. However, instead of altering the scene, the writer/director showed the bodybuilding champion how to do it. “He goes, ‘OK. I’ll do it.’ He’ll do it.” said Tom Arnold.

READ MORE | Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Highest Paid Film Is Shockingly Not Terminator

“There is nothing that he won’t do. And it inspires you.” Tom told The Ringer. Despite demanding a lot from his actors, James Cameron fights to give lesser-known actors an opportunity. Tom also recalled how the legendary director once fought to include him in Ture Lies.

Fighting for his actors

After casting Schwarzenegger as the protagonist for his 1994 film, the legendary filmmaker went to Fox Studios to inform them about casting Tom Arnold. He told Fox Studios executives they could begin filming. However, the production house told him, “That’s horrible news, Jim Cameron.” Arnold said the studio told The Titanic director not to cast him because they had read, “He’s carzy.”

However, Cameron had found his perfect casting. Cameron said he was sorry but, “I’m going to go down the street to Paramount.” The studio didn’t object to the director’s acting choice again. The True Lies actor said he’ll be grateful to Cameron forever.

Watch this story | Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Millionaire Female Co-star Once Opened up About their 35-Year-Old Close Relationship

What did you make of Tom Arnold’s story about James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger? Let us know in the comments!