Okay, this shocked me. I’ve always assumed Terminator was the cash cow for Arnold Schwarzenegger. I mean, iconic action scenes, huge box office, the works. But guess what? He made well over $40 million from a comedy. Yes, a buddy comedy called Twins that he did with Danny DeVito.
He spilled the beans during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and the moment felt like one of those casual jaw-droppers that just hits you out of nowhere.
Here’s the twist:
They didn’t even get paid upfront for Twins. Zero salary. Instead, Arnold, DeVito, and director Ivan Reitman made a bold move they took ownership, literally. They agreed to take 40% of the movie’s box office and rental returns.
And it worked.
- The movie grossed $216 million worldwide
- Each of them earned massive paychecks
- Arnold called it the best investment they ever made
- The deal was so legendary that the studio never repeated it again
Arnold shared he had always believed he’d crush it in comedy, even though studios kept throwing him into big action flicks. He played it smart. “Don’t give me money, just pay for the production,” he told them. That confidence? Iconic.
He also mentioned how that risk gave studios the comfort to invest in him differently. And honestly, respect investing in yourself like that takes guts.
Oh, and about that sequel, Triplets? It was supposed to star Eddie Murphy as their long-lost sibling. But after Reitman’s passing in February 2022, the project was sadly canceled.
Moral of the story? Sometimes, the biggest paydays come from the riskiest moves and not from what the audience or studio “expects” from you.
Seriously, who knew Twins would beat Terminator in Arnold’s wallet?
Adam Smith is the Founder, writer, and news publisher of GetMuzeek, where he shares the latest updates, insights, and stories from the world of music. With a passion for uncovering fresh trends and delivering engaging content, Adam keeps readers informed and inspired.
