Director James Cameron reveals that Arnold Schwarzenegger hated one part of the original script forTerminator 2: Judgement Day. Originally released in 1991, the sequel has gone on to be lauded as one of thegreatest action movies of all time. Following up onThe Terminator, the sequel makes a significant change when it sees Schwarzenegger’s titular character go from a murderous killing machine to John Connor’s protector and father figure.
In an interview withEmpire Magazine, Cameron discusses the key reason Schwarzenegger hated one part of the script. Known for his often over-the-top action roles throughout the 80s, Schwarzenegger mowed down countless people in previous movies.Schwarzenegger complained to Cameron “I don’t kill anybody.“He hoped that before John orders the Terminator not to kill anyone, he would be able to, saying “I can machine-gun people before that!” Cameron explained to Schwarzenegger that was just a coincidence up until that point and Schwarzenegger eventually embraced it.
Arnold hated the idea. I had the script, still warm from the printer, in my briefcase, made it to the plane where [studio] Carolco was flying a whole bunch of actors and directors to Cannes. Arnold reads it on the plane, and we have breakfast in Cannes the next morning. He had that look. “Look, Jim, I read it, it’s very well-written, but I don’t kill anybody.”
I’m like, “I know, that’s what’s so great about it! We take this guy who’s this monster and we make him a hero!” He was aghast. He says, “Alright, but on page 40 John tells me I can’t kill anybody. I can machine-gun people before that!” I said, “Okay, you got me on a legal loophole. But you’re going to be the hero. It’s only coincidence that you haven’t killed anybody up until then. You get reprogrammed by John verbally, and then you’re good. But are you really good, or are you just acting out good?” He said, “Well, am I really good?” I said, “That’s what we’re going to find out together.” He was like, “You as*hole!” He and I really got along well, but he did have these moments of crisis where I’d have to kind of talk him down off the ledge. And it worked out.
It grew on him. I don’t want to say that he did it unwillingly. As we got into the process of making the film, he started to embrace it and figure out, creatively, what he needed to be all the way along. And at the end, there’s actually real heart.
Cameron Was Right Not To Have Schwarzenegger Kill Anyone
Any Deaths Would Have Made The Character Less Sympathetic
Not having the T-800 kill any humans in the movie was the right call from Cameron, even with Schwarzenegger pushing back. Despite looking identical to the unstoppable killer that pursued Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), this is a whole new character. The Terminator is already shown as ruthless, as he has no regard for the patrons at a bar at the beginning of the movie when he gets his clothes and motorcycle.
It makes for a more interesting rewatch once you know this isn’t the same killing machine as before.
IfSchwarzenegger’s T-800had killed people earlier in the movie, it would have made himultimately less sympathetic. There needs to be a stark contrast between the first Terminator Schwarzenegger played and the one inT2to see his character have a full story arc. Additionally, he should be the opposite of the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), who immediately kills a police officer offscreen when arriving in the past. The movie instantly sets up that these two are very different, even if it’s not noticed on an initial viewing.
Our Thoughts On The T-800 Not Killing
It Makes The Character More Heroic
Schwarzenegger made the argument that he could kill other characters before John ordered him not to. I understand that point of view, especially given Schwarzenegger’s image as an action star, but the T-800 killing only takes away from the character. Even though thetrailer forT2spoiled the twist, it makes for a more interesting rewatch once you know this isn’t the same killing machine as before. It also helpsestablish if the character is good or not. Schwarzenegger ultimately not killing inTerminator 2: JudgmentDaymakes the movie better; a decision that paid off given its legendary status.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Cast
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a sci-fi action film directed by James Cameron, set ten years after the original. It chronicles a new effort to eliminate future rebellion leader John Connor, despite a reprogrammed terminator dispatched to safeguard him.
