Arnold Schwarzenegger established himself as one of the most bankable Hollywood action stars in the 80s. However, earning the moniker wasn’t easy. After winning the Golden Globe award for best new actor in 1977, Schwarzenegger’s breakthrough hit came in 1982. While Conan the Barbarian (1982) became an iconic film, his role in The Terminator (1984) propelled the bodybuilding icon to superstardom. Yet, the former Mr. Olympia didn’t have much faith in the James Cameron-directed sci-fi action film.

The seven-time Mr. Olympia’s bodybuilder friend, Rick Wayne, visited him on the set of Conan the Destroyer in 1984. After the success of the 1982 film, Schwarzenegger reprised his role in the sequel. However, when Wayne noticed an out-of-place prop on the set, he asked Schwarzenegger about its purpose.

When Arnold Schwarzenegger underestimated his film

Conan the Destroyed and The Terminator were released in theaters three months apart. Hence, the actor had to make time to film both projects. Sometimes that meant shooting two different films on the same day. When Wayne visited the bodybuilding legend on the set of Conan the Destroyer, he had the pair of shoes he wore while filming The Terminator. “‘Oh, some s*** movie I’m doing, take a couple of weeks,” said Arnold.

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Wayne didn’t know the film Schwarzenegger was talking about was The Terminator. The bodybuilder described how he spotted the shoes. “As we sat there talking he picked up the Conan sword, which weighed a ton, and went through the moves he’d practiced… Then he grabbed a pair of shoes.” Wayne said during a 2001 interview.

Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger Once Granted ‘50 Cops’ a Moment of Joy by Demolishing a Police Station: “They All Applauded”

The two films had contrasting runs at the box office. Conan the Destroyer, a financial success, opened to abysmal reviews from critics and most fans. The Terminator, on the other hand, was a roaring success. While Cameron spent only $6.4 million to make the movie, it earned over $78 million at the box office.

James Cameron wasn’t the legendary filmmaker he is today

During the interview, Rick Wayne said, “That (The Terminator) was the movie that made Arnold. For him it was just some cr*p film.” While Schwarzenegger signed on to play the now-iconic T-800, he probably didn’t have much confidence in the film because James Cameron was also the new kid on the block. The first time Cameron met Schwarzenegger, the former Mr. Olympia paid for their dinner.

Strapped for cash, Cameron made some compromises. However, he refused to let the producers make significant changes to his vision. Hence, with the success of The Terminator, James Cameron also became famous overnight. The duo has kept their friendship intact since 1984. In 2019, Schwarzenegger returned as the T-800 for Terminator: Dark Fate. 

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Are you a fan of the Terminator franchise? Let us know in the comments.