Sequels are tricky propositions to create for any movie franchise, especially after the high expectations that audiences have following the success of the first film. Prolific Hollywood director James Cameron met the lofty standards by creating an iconic sequel to his film Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Terminator 2: Judgment Day which was released in 1991, came to be known as one of the best sequels ever to be made.
One of the reasons for its cult status was Cameron’s clever subversion of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character. While the action star played a sinister and chilling cyborg on a killing spree in Terminator, Cameron turned the tables to make him a hero in the sequel. This decision though, was not always favored by Schwarzenegger who wanted darker and more gruesome shades to his character in the film.
James Cameron Vetoed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Vision For Terminator 2: Judgment Day
In Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as a cyborg but in a completely different avatar to his killing ways in the first film. Now a hero send back in time to save young John Connor, Schwarzenegger’s portrayal received rave reviews from action buffs and fans of the former Mr Olympia.
But the True Lies star confessed that he was not happy with being termed a hero in the film as he wanted his character to be the antagonist who will have more chilling and dark shades when compared to the first film. James Cameron though, put his foot down and dismissed Schwarzenegger’s opinion. The former California Governor recalled his argument with the director regarding the character.
‘Arnold, stop it. You’re a very sick guy. I am gonna make sure that in ‘Terminator 2,’ you’re not gonna kill one single person,’ I said that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. How can this be ‘Terminator 2’ without me killing anyone? At least throw a few token bodies in there.”
Schwarzenegger also confessed that he was adamant about wanting the film to be more gruesome as he wished to outdo his action-loving colleague Sylvester Stallone who left a signature stray of bodies in every Rambo film. As it happened, James Cameron’s decision to stay with his original script turned out to be the best result for Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
A Few Films That Arnold Schwarzenegger Missed Out On
James Cameron’s keen sense of cinema ensured that Arnold Schwarzenegger became a legend in the Terminator franchise. Despite being part of many high-profile projects, the former bodybuilding champion has also let go of a fair share of films that have gone on to become big hits. One of them was the 2007 Will Smith starrer I Am Legend. According to inside information, the movie which was originally supposed to have been helmed by Ridley Scott, was offered to the True Lies star 15 years before. With Scott dropping out of the project, issues of budget, and director Michael Bay stepping in, Schwarzenegger reportedly lost interest and backed out of the project.
Schwarzenegger was also considered for Robocop which in retrospect would have been a perfect fit for the actor with his massive body frame and cyborg-like movements that he executed perfectly in films like Terminator. But these thoughts were not echoed by the producers who thought that his physicality would pose a problem while designing a suit for the character. The role ultimately went to actor Peter Weller.
Source: Indie Wire
