Arnold Schwarzenegger recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the origins of his iconic line, "I'll be back," in the 1984 science fiction movie "The Terminator." According to Schwarzenegger, the line was actually an "accident" that emerged from a disagreement with the film's director, James Cameron.
Schwarzenegger suggested saying "I will be back" instead of "I'll be back," but Cameron insisted on the original wording. Schwarzenegger recounted the exchange, saying that Cameron had told him, "Don't tell me how to write. I don't tell you how to act." Schwarzenegger replied, "I told you how to act every f**king minute!" However, Cameron ultimately won the argument, convincing Schwarzenegger that the line sounded different and therefore more effective.
Cameron instructed Schwarzenegger to try saying the line in different ways, and they eventually landed on the version that made it into the movie. The line has since become one of the most famous in movie history, and it has followed Schwarzenegger throughout his career. He reminisced about a time when a fan approached him in Central Park and asked him to say the line, and more recently, when a concierge in Aspen made the same request.
Schwarzenegger also discussed the future of the "Terminator" franchise, which he says he's done starring in. However, he believes that the franchise itself is not finished. He said, "Someone has to come up with a great idea. 'The Terminator' was largely responsible for my success, so I always would look at it very fondly. The first three movies were great." While Schwarzenegger may not be returning as the Terminator, fans of the franchise can still look forward to its future.