Secret Revealed: Why Terminator Star's Doubts About Schwarzenegger and James Cameron's Script Were Justified

Initially, Linda Hamilton had reservations about The Terminator's script and Arnold Schwarzenegger's acting skills. The film, released in 1984, features Schwarzenegger as the titular cyborg assassin, whose goal is to eliminate Sarah Connor, played by Hamilton, before she can give birth to the future Resistance leader John Connor. Despite Hamilton's doubts, the film became a massive franchise, spanning six movies and a television series. In an interview for the Netflix docuseries Arnold, Hamilton confessed her initial skepticism about the film and Schwarzenegger's ability to portray the villain.

At first, the job seemed average and unremarkable. I didn't find it to be any better than other scripts I had come across. I was aware that the project had a limited budget and that we were all relatively inexperienced. Naturally, I had some reservations.

Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't fit our narrow definition of an actor - we saw him as a bodybuilder attempting to play a role. However, I was intrigued and watched him from the sidelines. To my surprise, I was convinced by his physicality, stiffness, and the other techniques he employed. I began to think that this might actually work.

Why The Terminator Is A Classic Action Film

Schwarzenegger's portrayal of the Terminator in the eponymous film is still hailed as a classic, successfully blending science fiction with '80s action. Hamilton praises Schwarzenegger's stiff performance as the Terminator, which made him a truly menacing force throughout the movie. Despite Schwarzenegger confirming his retirement from the franchise, his portrayal of the T-800 as a villain in The Terminator remains an iconic performance in cinematic history.

Apart from its horror and action elements, The Terminator also boasts a memorable twist at the end. The film follows future soldier Kyle Reese as he travels back in time to protect Sarah from the Terminator, sent by John to do so. However, the two end up sleeping together, with the movie's conclusion revealing that Kyle is, in fact, John's father. This plot twist elevates The Terminator to a thought-provoking narrative that ingeniously incorporates time travel.

The Terminator franchise remains ongoing, with creator James Cameron confirming Terminator 7 in May 2023. Although newer installments have not achieved the same critical or commercial success as The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the franchise continues to be popular. Despite initial reservations from Hamilton regarding Schwarzenegger's involvement, The Terminator proved to be a highly successful venture.