The Shocking Truth Behind Arnold Schwarzenegger's Dislike for T2's Iconic Twist
Discover why Arnold Schwarzenegger initially disliked the Good Terminator twist in T2 and how it ultimately became the best choice for the iconic film
During a recent interview for the Arnold Schwarzenegger Netflix docuseries, Arnold, director James Cameron revealed that Arnold Schwarzenegger initially had reservations about playing a "good" terminator in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Despite spending the entire first film attempting to kill Sarah Conner, Schwarzenegger's T-800 returns in the sequel to protect her from the T-1000. Cameron explains that one of Schwarzenegger's main concerns was that he didn't get to kill anyone, which he found a bit disappointing.
T2's Good Terminator Twist Was The Best Choice
Initially, Arnold was strongly opposed to the idea. He expressed his concerns by saying, "Jim, I don't want to kill anyone. Is it possible to shoot them in the leg instead?" To which I replied, "Yes, let's aim for the leg. How does that sound?" Arnold agreed and we proceeded with the plan.
In the first Terminator film, Schwarzenegger's T-800 was portrayed as a menacing villain, relentlessly pursuing Sarah and Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) while withstanding an incredible amount of punishment. As a result, it is understandable that Schwarzenegger may have had reservations about suddenly playing a heroic character and even providing some comedic relief. Nevertheless, making the T-800 a defender was ultimately the best decision for Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Having Schwarzenegger reprise his role as the T-800 not only puts him back in the center of the action, but it also emphasizes the formidable threat posed by the T-1000. Seeing the seemingly indestructible T-800 struggle against the advanced technology of the T-1000 raises the stakes and intensifies the danger facing Sarah and humanity. Moreover, with the odds stacked against her, Sarah cannot defeat the T-1000 alone, making the T-800's return all the more crucial.
The T-800's reappearance also adds depth to Sarah's character, allowing the film to delve into the emotional trauma she still carries from her past encounters with terminators. By the end of the movie, the T-800 even becomes something of a sidekick for Sarah, offering her a new level of support and companionship. While it may have been tempting to stick with the formula that made the first Terminator a success, Terminator 2: Judgment Day made a wise choice in turning the T-800 into a hero.
Source Arnold (via EW)
