The Ultimate Terminator Showdown: Inside James Cameron's Rejection of Arnold Schwarzenegger's T2 Plans

James Cameron was displeased with Arnold Schwarzenegger's intended direction for Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Diverging from the plot of the initial 1984 Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day presents a clever twist by transforming Schwarzenegger's T-800 Terminator into a protagonist. With the menacing T-1000 (portrayed by Robert Patrick) emerging, the T-800 must discover a method to safeguard Sarah Conner (portrayed by Linda Hamilton), even though the T-800 originally attempted to assassinate her in the first Terminator.

Initially, Schwarzenegger did not support this concept. In an interview with Deadline, he disclosed that he insisted on the Terminator's continuous killing role in the film, but Cameron rejected his suggestion. Refer to Schwarzenegger's quote below:

The rivalry between Schwarzenegger and Stallone may have been in full swing, but Cameron was determined not to let it interfere with his vision for the Terminator series. And in his decision to prevent Schwarzenegger from killing anyone in Terminator 2, he created a sequel that would become legendary.

Why Cameron's Plans For Terminator 2 Worked So Well

Although Schwarzenegger initially disliked the unexpected twist of the good Terminator, the concept of the T-800 as a hero was a brilliant decision. It completely subverts the original Terminator and allows even the T-800 a chance at redemption. Terminator 2: Judgment Day adds complexity to a robotic and somewhat monotonous killing machine, effectively introducing another enduring protagonist to the Terminator franchise.

Cameron's long-standing success at the box office is not without reason. He possesses a deep understanding of film and knows how to make characters captivating. Instead of solely relying on the T-800 as a central villain, he recognized that Terminator 2: Judgment Day needed to elevate both the franchise and the T-800. This led to the creation of the terrifying T-1000, a groundbreaking development that revitalized the series.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day surpasses expectations by offering more than just captivating on-screen content. It presents a vast array of possibilities for future films to delve into, exemplifying the true essence of a sequel. Rather than merely amplifying the violence depicted in the first movie, as Schwarzenegger initially intended, Cameron took a different approach with Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This decision plays a pivotal role in its immense success.