ACTOR · BORN 1947
Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Born
- 30 July 1947, Thal, Styria, Austria
- Known for
- The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Predator (1987), Terminator Genisys (2015)
99 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
Arnold Schwarzenegger: 12 Facts About Characters and Roles
- #006
The famous line "I'll be back" from The Terminator (1984) was originally written as "I'll come back". The small change produced one of the most memorable lines in cinema history, and the final wording better reflects the character's coolness and resolve. The detail shows how important creative decisions during production can be.
- #012
Schwarzenegger initially refused to appear in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) because James Cameron, who created the character and directed the first two films, would not direct the third. Arnold tried to persuade Cameron to direct it, but Cameron refused; feeling that the Terminator character belonged to him as much as to Arnold, Cameron advised Arnold to do the third film and to ask for a lot of money. The episode shows how much Schwarzenegger respected the creative process and how attached he was to his character.
- #028
James Cameron initially wanted Arnold Schwarzenegger for the role of Kyle Reese in The Terminator (1984), but after reading the script Arnold asked Cameron to let him play the Machine instead. Cameron replied, "No, no! Reese is the star! He's the big hero! The Terminator has almost no lines!" but Arnold told him, "trust me." The decision led to one of the most iconic roles in cinema history and shows how sound Schwarzenegger's instincts could be in his career.
- #033
Arnold Schwarzenegger was the first choice to play the title character in RoboCop (1987), but the role ultimately went to Peter Weller. His turning down or not getting the part sent his career in a different direction, while RoboCop became a major science-fiction production. The situation illustrates the alternative paths in his career.
- #051
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a pet miniature pony named Whiskey, which was the name of Kirk Douglas's horse in The Villain (1979), the film in which Arnold starred. He also has a pet miniature donkey named Lulu. These animals offer interesting details about his personal life, and his affection for them shows that he is not only a tough action star but also an animal lover.
- #057
In the early development stages of Judge Dredd (1995), Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered for the role of Judge Dredd. The role went to Sylvester Stallone, a co-founder of Planet Hollywood. This is seen as one of the opportunities Schwarzenegger missed in his career; Stallone's taking the part reinforced his success in the action genre, while Schwarzenegger's failure to land it led him in a different direction.
- #063
When the first film adaptation of William Goldman's "The Princess Bride" was proposed in the 1970s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered for the role of the gentle giant Fezzik (The Princess Bride (1987)). The part ultimately went to André the Giant, making it one of the opportunities Schwarzenegger missed in his career. André the Giant's performance created an unforgettable character in the film.
- #064
Arnold Schwarzenegger joined President George H.W. Bush in New Hampshire and asked voters to "send a message to Pat Buchanan: Hasta la vista, baby." The line was a nod to his famous quote from the Terminator films. The move shows how he used popular culture in political campaigns, and his humorous approach reveals his skill in political communication.
- #067
Arnold Schwarzenegger was considered for the lead in Flash Gordon (1980). The role ultimately went to Sam J. Jones because producer Dino De Laurentiis felt Schwarzenegger's German accent was unsuitable for the part. De Laurentiis told Schwarzenegger, in his heavy Italian accent, "You have an accent! I cannot use you for Flash Gordon! No! Flash Gordon has no accent! I cannot use you! No!" Ironically, Jones had to temporarily shed his own Texas accent for the role. The episode shows how important an accent can be in casting.
- #081
Producer Joel Silver at one point wanted Arnold Schwarzenegger to play the role of Doctor Manhattan in a film adaptation of Alan Moore's famous graphic novel Watchmen (2009). The project never came to fruition, however, and the role went to another actor. The offer shows that Schwarzenegger was considered not only for action films but also for comic book adaptations.
- #085
In 1996, Schwarzenegger was considered for the role of Robert Neville in I Am Legend (2007), which was planned to be directed by Ridley Scott. The project did not come together at that time, however, and the film was made years later with Will Smith. The offer shows that Schwarzenegger was also a sought-after actor in the science fiction genre.
- #091
Schwarzenegger was considered for the role of Doctor Octopus in James Cameron's cancelled Spider-Man film. Although Cameron's project never materialized, the offer shows that Schwarzenegger was also a sought-after name in the superhero genre. This information brings to light the alternative paths in his career and the lost projects in film history.
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Reference databases
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