Arnold Schwarzenegger, the iconic bodybuilder turned Hollywood superstar, has left an indelible mark on both the silver screen and the world of fitness. Schwarzenegger’s journey to fame and success is nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as a bodybuilding champion, where he earned the coveted title of Mr. Olympia a remarkable seven times, to his transition into acting, Schwarzenegger has become a household name.
Alongside his box office hits like The Terminator franchise, Schwarzenegger’s earnings in the film industry have varied, with one flop superhero film bringing him his largest payday. However, it was another film where the superstar surprisingly charged nothing and the film proved to be a turning point in his career, grossing millions.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Record-Breaking Paycheck for Batman & Robin
In 1997, Arnold Schwarzenegger donned the icy persona of Dr. Victor Fries, also known as Mr. Freeze, in Joel Schumacher’s superhero film Batman & Robin. Despite the film’s poor reception, Schwarzenegger received a whopping salary of $30 million for his role. This hefty paycheck not only set a new record but also made him the highest-paid entertainer in Hollywood at the time.
“It was Batman & Robin where they gave me over $30 million. I became the highest-paid entertainer in the history of Hollywood.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger Charged Nothing For Twins To Bring Diversity In His Acting Profiles
While Arnold Schwarzenegger commanded a staggering sum for Batman & Robin, it is intriguing to note that the superstar charged nothing in one of his most successful films, Twins (1988). In a strategic move to showcase his versatility beyond action films, Schwarzenegger agreed to work in Twins without taking a salary. This comedy, co-starring Danny DeVito, proved to be a game-changer. The film grossed $100 million domestically, shattering industry expectations and proving the Predator star’s wide acting range.
“It was always difficult for me. When I was the action hero in the ’80s and ’90s, they wouldn’t allow me to do any comedy or anything for kids. They were like, ‘No, we know we are going to make money with you if you do action movies.’ So literally for ‘Twins’ I took no salary, I just wanted to give it a shot. And it just happened to be my first movie to make $100 million domestic. So they realized that it works, Schwarzenegger can cross over.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career has indeed been a remarkable and inspiring journey filled with ups and downs, from commanding record-breaking paychecks to charging nothing, The Running Man star has preceded everybody’s expectations with his shocking yet good film choice.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter; Business Insider
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