Despite Losing Bodybuilding Gains for $20 Million Movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals Fans’ True Feelings About His Hollywood Physique: “People Were Going Crazy”
Follow Us
While bodybuilders today weigh close to 300 lbs, in the 70s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was among the biggest bodybuilders in the world. Standing 6’2 FT tall and weighing around 240 lbs, the Austrian Oak carried too much muscle to play the lead in his 1982 breakout film. Director John Milius told the seven-time, Mr. Olympia, he needed to lose weight and muscle mass. In a recent interview with Men’s Health, the bodybuilding legend opened up about how despite losing his hard-earned gains, fans praised him.
According to a Reddit post by the Governator himself, Milius said Arnie was “way too ripped,” for the $20 million film. So Schwarzenegger got off his bodybuilder diet and let his body fat get to 12%. However, despite the downgrade, Arnie told Men’s Health how fans of the comic book series felt after watching him on screen.
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan – a comic book character come to life
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The seven-time Mr. Olympia brought a physique never seen on the silver screen. Before the Austrian stepped into the shoes of Conan, the superhero physique didn’t exist. While Christopher Reeve worked with a champion weightlifter to put on muscle to play Superman, his muscularity couldn’t hold a candle to Schwarzenegger.
When Conan the Barbarian came out in 1982, it instantly grabbed the eyeballs of comic book lovers. While The Terminator actor might have lost muscle mass, he looked shredded. “People were going crazy,” Schwarzenegger told Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. of Men’s Health. Fans couldn’t believe “that there was a guy that actually looked like Conan the way Frank Frazetta painted it,” he said.
Trending
“Steroids Did a Number on His Face”: Zac Efron Faces Fierce Scrutiny From Fitness World Over His Insanely Jacked Wrestler Avatar
November 21, 2023 06:01 AM EST
Jay Cutler Defends Nick Walker After Fans Criticized ‘The Mutant’ for Lackluster Pittsburgh Pro Guest Posing
May 17, 2024 08:40 PM EDT
All Rounder Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Bodybuilder Son Unlocks New “Side Quest,” Enters Realm of Soccer
May 18, 2024 01:00 PM EDT
“I Allowed It to Take Over My Life”: Zac Efron Opens Up About His Hulking Body Transformation for Iron Claw
January 05, 2024 04:45 PM EST
Facing Prison Time for Street Gang Activities, Rapper Young Thug’s Supposed Fitness Transformation Breaks the Internet
May 18, 2024 07:40 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Bodybuilding stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
While the superhero physique has become a standard today, the MCU didn’t exist in the 80s. However, Schwarzenegger’s action-hero physique would rival even the most ripped leading men today. It’s safe to say the five-five Mr. Universe set a physique standard long before it became prevalent. However, besides diet, the bodybuilding champion also trained differently for the $20 million film.
Learning a unique skill for three years
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
As Conan the Barbarian, Arnold Schwarzenegger needed to be proficient with a sword. In the same credit post, the bodybuilding icon explained he learned swordplay for three years. Even while training to participate in the 1980, Mr. Olympia, Arnie learned how to wield a sword. He trained under “Sensei (Kiyoshi) Yamazaki for three years,” before filming a single scene.
Arnie had to swing a heavy sword and look like an expert swordsman. However, the dedicated bodybuilder overcame the challenge with flying colors. In Fact, Schwarzenegger had become so good with the sword, actor James Earl Jones let Arnie hit him. “Right in the neck on the blood bag,” wrote Arnold.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch this story | Arnold Schwarzenegger pays tribute to Reddit fans with a legendary picture
Arnold Schwarzenegger lost muscle and mastered new skills like swordplay, kendo, and horseback riding. However, all his hard work paid off because Conan the Barbarian opened the doors of Hollywood stardom. In 1984, Arnie starred in The Terminator, and the rest is history.
Edited by:
Varunkumaar Chelladurai