Initially, director James Cameron had envisioned actor Lance Henriksen for the iconic role of the Terminator. In the completed version of the film, Henriksen took on the role of LAPD Detective Hal Vukovich, and later portrayed the android Bishop in Cameron’s subsequent work, “Aliens.” Henriksen’s normal appearance was considered a plus – he wouldn’t draw as much attention as the more physically imposing Arnold Schwarzenegger. Furthermore, Producer Gale Anne Hurd believed that choosing lesser-known actors would help keep costs low. Contrary to their approach, producer Mike Medavoy from Orion Pictures was inclined to spend more to cast well-known actors.
Mike Medavoy’s casting proposition to Cameron and Hurd involved Schwarzenegger for the role of Kyle Reese and O.J. Simpson to play the Terminator. The choice was partially inspired by Simpson’s athletic performance in Hertz rental car commercials. Medavoy explained his reasoning stating that the athletic abilities demonstrated by Simpson in such ads would be appropriate for the character of the Terminator.
However, neither Hurd nor Cameron were enthusiastic about these suggestions. Cameron, in particular, had reservations about casting Simpson as the Terminator. For one, Cameron was concerned about the potentially racist undertones of having a threatening Black man chasing a white woman on screen. Additionally, Cameron felt that Simpson, who was perceived by the public as a charming and innocent personality, was not suitable for the role of a menacing figure like the Terminator.
Cameron humorously remarked with a dark twist, “Keep in mind, this was before O.J. was actually a killer. We might have reconsidered after he had killed his wife.”*
*The infamous trial of O.J. Simpson for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman occurred in 1994-1995. Although Simpson was acquitted of the criminal charges, he was later found liable in a civil lawsuit initiated by the Goldman family.
FAQs about The Terminator’s Financing and Casting
- Who did Orion Pictures originally want to cast for the roles in The Terminator?
Orion Pictures, through producer Mike Medavoy, suggested Arnold Schwarzenegger for the role of Kyle Reese and O.J. Simpson for the Terminator. - Why did James Cameron oppose the idea of casting O.J. Simpson as the Terminator?
James Cameron had concerns about the racial implications and did not think the role suited Simpson’s public image at the time, which he considered to be friendly and innocent. - What did Gale Anne Hurd believe about casting for The Terminator?
Producer Gale Anne Hurd thought that using unknown actors would help to keep the production budget under control. - Did James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd agree with Mike Medavoy’s casting choices?
No, they were not in favor of Medavoy’s suggestions and had different visions for the casting. - Did the concerns about casting O.J. Simpson change after his trial?
James Cameron expressed, in a darkly humorous remark, that they might have reconsidered their stance on casting Simpson after he was charged with murder, implying the real-life events that followed would have aligned more with the menacing nature of the role.
Conclusion
The casting and financing of The Terminator were crucial elements in the creation of this iconic film. The disagreements between the initial vision of director James Cameron and Producer Gale Anne Hurd, and the financial backer, Orion Pictures, demonstrate the complexities of film production and casting. Orion Pictures had a strong preference for established actors to lead the film, while Cameron and Hurd leaned towards a more subtle approach that eventually defined the film’s unique dynamic and helped cement its place in cinematic history.