During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that one of his most famous Terminator one-liners almost never happened. Known for his iconic catchphrases in movies, Schwarzenegger explained how the line “I’ll be back” nearly didn’t make it into the Terminator script.
Schwarzenegger admitted that he had trouble saying the line during filming. He preferred saying “I will be back” because the “I’ll” sounded weird to him. But the director insisted that Schwarzenegger stick to the scripted “I’ll be back”. The Terminator star humorously recalled their conversation, saying, “I don’t tell you how to act, so don’t tell me how to write.”
Luckily, the director was adamant, and the line stayed in the movie. Little did they know that “I’ll be back” would become one of the most famous and repeated lines in film history. People still approach Schwarzenegger today and ask him to say the line. It has become one of his most quoted lines and a true trademark of his career.
Schwarzenegger also shared another instance where he improvised a memorable line. While filming the movie Predator, during a scene where they were attacking a village of communist soldiers, Schwarzenegger’s character stabs an enemy soldier and says, “Stick around.” This line was entirely improvised on the spot and ended up being another iconic moment in his career.
The conversation on The Graham Norton Show highlighted the unpredictable nature of movie success. Sometimes, actors and filmmakers have a feeling that a particular line or scene will become iconic, but often they are surprised by the unexpected moments that resonate with audiences the most.
As Schwarzenegger mentioned, he now has numerous lines from his movies that have become widely known and quoted. It’s an honor for him to have created these memorable phrases that continue to be enjoyed by fans. However, it’s important to note that these lines were not forced or planned ahead of time. They simply emerged organically during the creative process.
Overall, Schwarzenegger’s appearance on The Graham Norton Show offered a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes moments that can shape the legacy of a movie. It serves as a reminder that even in the entertainment industry, some of the most iconic moments are the ones that are unexpected and unplanned.
