“You Did Something Really Smart”: James Cameron’s Genius Compelled Arnold Schwarzenegger to Do Terminator, Revealed in 1992

Shortly after starring in a breakthrough role as Conan in 1982, Arnold Schwarzenegger got an offer, as the then-newcomer, James Cameron, wanted to make a sci-fi film. After the duo met in a restaurant to discuss the role, Schwarzenegger’s interest peaked. However, Cameron’s action convinced the seven-time Mr. Olympia.

Years after the release of the first Terminator movie, Cameron and Schwarzenegger sat down for a conversation. During their conversation, the pair recalled how the 80s action icon landed the role. The bodybuilding champion revealed the filmmaker had sent an item to his office that compelled him to accept the offer.

An offer Arnold Schwarzenegger couldn’t refuse

In The Making of ‘the Terminator’: A Retrospective (1992), James Cameron explained he knew Schwarzenegger would be a good fit. The Hollywood superstar said, “you did something really smart. You sent over to my office, your painting that you did, of Terminator.” However, Cameron’s genius touch was that he painted Schwarzenegger as the Terminator.

The bodybuilding champion said Cameron had painted him holding a 45-caliber pistol. “I looked at this painting and said, ‘I am the Terminator!'” revealed the Hollywood superstar. Schwarzenegger was so impressed with the painting he immediately called his agent. After seeing himself as the Terminator in Cameron’s art, Arnie knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

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Schwarzenegger immediately dialed Cameron’s number after speaking to his agent. The studio had also planned on offering the role to the now-infamous NFL player O. J. Simpson. So Arnold wanted to seal the deal. “I want to play the Terminator,” the 80s action cinema icon told Cameron on the phone. 

The former Mr. Olympia’s physical stature altered Cameron’s vision

During the conversation, Cameron revealed how his vision for T-800 changed when Schwarzenegger signed on. James had planned for the Terminator to be an anonymous entity. A killer robot who would come out of the crowd, take out its target, and blend in again. However, the former bodybuilder’s 6′ 2″ tall stature and 240 lbs musclebound frame made Cameron reconsider.

“Arnold doesn’t vanish into a crowd,” said the filmmaker. So the visionary director changed the visual style of the character. Instead of making the T-800 a subtle killing machine from the future, Cameron made Schwarzenegger’s T-800 a menacing, intimidating presence in every frame. 

However, the filmmaker also revealed he made no changes to the script or the story. The Austrian Oak’s portrayal of the menacing machine from the future became so iconic it helped birth a franchise. 

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Do you think the Terminator franchise would be so iconic without Arnold? Comment your thoughts.