Entering the universe of the film “The Terminator,” we are immediately transported to a dystopian and mysterious setting. Released in 1984, this sci-fi cinema classic not only captivated audiences with its action-packed and suspenseful narrative but also left behind a series of intriguing curiosities about its production and cultural impact. From the challenges faced by the film crew to fascinating details about the cast and special effects, there is a plethora of interesting facts that help unravel the behind-the-scenes of this iconic James Cameron film.
In this exploration of “The Terminator” trivia, we will delve into the details behind the creation of this timeless classic and examine how it continues to influence and inspire both fans and filmmakers to this day.
1 – THE FILM WAS BASED ON A NIGHTMARE
The conception of the film originated from a disturbing dream experienced by director and screenwriter James Cameron while in Rome, attending a film event. He recounts dreaming of a metallic and deadly figure emerging from flames, which inspired the creation of the film’s plot.
2 – DIRECTOR WAS ACCUSED OF PLAGIARISM
However, there are claims that the original idea wasn’t as original as it seemed. Harlan Ellison accused Cameron of plagiarism, stating that “The Terminator” was an unauthorized adaptation of his work “Soldier,” written in 1964. The case ended up in court, and although the details of the settlement between the parties remain confidential, Cameron expressed his frustration towards Ellison, calling him a “parasite” and declaring his lack of sympathy towards the author.
3 – JAMES CAMERON SOLD THE SCRIPT FOR $1, WITH A CONDITION
The lesson we can draw from Cameron’s case is the need to take risks to accomplish great projects. Cameron was so determined to sell his script that he ended up agreeing to sell it for just $1. The first to read the script was Cameron’s agent, who did not like the story. At that time, Cameron was in such dire financial straits that he was living in his car, which shows how much he was willing to sacrifice to pursue his passion for cinema.
After the agent was let go, Cameron felt even more determined to chase his dream. He then sold the script to producer Gale Anne Hurd for just $1. The agreement stipulated that if Hurd found the script promising, Cameron would be the film’s director. The plan worked out, and “The Terminator” grossed an impressive $78.3 million at the box office.
4 – ACTOR AUDITION SCARED SECRETARY
The first actor considered for the role of the Terminator was Lance Henriksen. His impressive audition included kicking the door open, fully embodying the character, wearing a leather jacket, and even sporting gold teeth. His performance was so convincing that the secretary present in the room dropped her typewriter in fright. Henriksen ended up being chosen to join the cast, albeit playing the role of Detective Hal Vukovich.
5 – O.J. SIMPSON WAS TO BE THE TERMINATOR
One of the casting suggestions to play the Terminator was O.J. Simpson. However, Cameron dismissed the idea because he felt Simpson didn’t convey the appearance of someone with the menacing presence required for the role. It’s worth noting that Simpson was investigated for the murder of his own wife 10 years later but was acquitted in a highly controversial trial.
6 – SCHWARZENEGGER ALMOST PLAYED KYLE REESE
Initially, Schwarzenegger was slated to play the role of Kyle Reese. However, during a lunch with Cameron, the director had a change of perspective and saw in Schwarzenegger the Terminator he envisioned. Schwarzenegger wasn’t very enthusiastic about playing the villain, but after the director’s insistence, he eventually agreed to take on the film’s lead role.
7 – SINGER STING ALMOST PARTICIPATED
Singer Sting received an invitation to play Kyle Reese in exchange for a $350,000 check. In addition to him, various other names were considered for the role, including Bruce Springsteen, Matt Dillon, Kurt Russell, Tommy Lee Jones, Mickey Rourke, Michael O’Keefe, Scott Glenn, and Mel Gibson.
8 – ACTORS DIDN’T BELIEVE IN THE FILM
Despite Cameron successfully selling the script, the actors chosen for the film’s lead roles still had their doubts about how it would be received by the audience. Schwarzenegger even referred to the film as potentially of questionable quality, calling it a “piece of shit.” Similarly, Linda Hamilton admitted that she also had her own doubts about the film during filming.
9 – COMPUTER LANGUAGES
The Terminator visualizes some computer code during the film, and part of it is excerpts from the Assembly programming language of the Apple 2+. Additionally, other codes were written in the Cobol language.
10 – INTENSE TRAINING
For an entire month, Arnold Schwarzenegger underwent weapons training and shooting lessons to prepare for the film’s lead role.
11 – SCHWARZENEGGER SCARED FOR REAL
During a break from filming, Schwarzenegger forgot to remove the Terminator makeup and ended up attracting attention when he showed up at a diner fully dressed in character.
12 – IDENTICAL CARS
In the scene where the Terminator steals a car, there’s a moment when the tire runs over a blue toy truck, which closely resembles the scene of the truck carrying the T1000 in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” during the chase.
13 – ERROR
In the scene where the Terminator steals the police car, you can observe the logo and the phrase “Care and Protection.” However, when the car emblem and phrase are shown again, they change, now saying: “Dedicated to Serve.”
14 – WAS SUPPOSED TO LOSE AN EYE
The Terminator was supposed to lose an eye in one of the action scenes, however, upon entering the police department, it can be noticed that it’s still intact.
15 – AN ERROR WAS OVERLOOKED IN THE RESHOOT
When the Terminator locates an address for a Sarah Connor, the number shown is 1823. However, upon arrival, the door number is 14239. It seems they forgot to adjust the actual house number, as this scene had to be reshot.
In conclusion, exploring the trivia behind “The Terminator” reveals not only the fascinating behind-the-scenes of filmmaking but also highlights the enduring impact the movie had on pop culture. From casting choices to technical details, every aspect of the film contributes to its immortality in the world of cinema. Uncovering the secrets and peculiarities behind the camera leads us to further appreciate the genius behind this science fiction masterpiece. Even decades after its release, “The Terminator” continues to inspire and intrigue both movie fans and enthusiasts of time travel and robotics stories. It stands as a testament to the brilliance of James Cameron and all the talent involved in creating a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences to this day.