MOVIE NEWS – Of course, Terminator would have been entirely different even if Arnold Schwarzenegger had been given the role of Kyle Reese…

Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed that he almost didn’t play the Terminator in James Cameron’s 1984 film. The 76-year-old action icon shared the story on the Smartless podcast that he originally wanted to play Kyle Reese in the movie. In fact, a completely different actor was in line for the role of the machine from the future!

While talking about the many aspects of his career, Schwarzenegger touched on a story he’s touched on before: ex-NFL star-turned-Hollywood actor OJ Simpson was initially slated to play the role that made the Austrian bodybuilder a megastar.

Simpson later became known for his comedic role as Norberg in the Naked Gun films. But he is really known for his downfall in the 1995 lawsuit. He was acquitted in the criminal trial of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole and her boyfriend, Ron Goldman. But the actor was later found liable in a civil suit for their deaths.

During the podcast, Schwarzenegger explained:

“I think OJ Simpson was cast, not yet a contract signed, but was cast already to play The Terminator. So Cameron was trying to talk me into playing the Terminator and I said, ‘Nah, I want to play Reese.’ He said , ‘No, you understand the Terminator. You talk about how he has to walk and turn his head like a machine. That’s exactly what he has to do.’ Anyway, he talked me into it.”

According to the former California governor, Simpson’s enthusiasm ultimately cost him the role. Schwarzenegger’s ability to play a soulless killing machine was perfect for the iconic role, which he played for more than three decades.

The Terminator franchise was made really successful by Arnold Schwarzenegger

While there are many “what if” casting moments in the history of Hollywood movies, it’s hard to imagine that the Terminator franchise would have been as successful as it was if Arnold Schwarzenegger had played the T-800’s metallic heart almost mechanically.

The idea of someone like OJ Simpson taking on the role and replacing Schwarzenegger with Kyle Reese sounds like something that could have easily killed the movie before it had a chance to create one of the best sequels of all time …

After all, this is why James Cameron is considered one of Hollywood’s greatest directors. He has the ability to put together the right cast, the right script, and a keen eye for small details. Thanks to this, it took three places in the top five list of the highest-grossing films.

Although the careers of Schwarzenegger and Simpson could not have been more different, whether changing the Terminator cast would have set them both on different paths, we will never know. But for the sci-fi franchise, it’s hard to imagine how it could have been more successful without Schwarzenegger.

The films of the Terminator franchise are also available for streaming on Max and Netflix in some territories. Meanwhile, Netflix is currently gearing up to release an anime Terminator series in 2024…

Source: YouTube