James Cameron Sets the Record Straight on O.J. Simpson’s Terminator Role
Rumours have swirled for years about O.J. Simpson nearly landing the T-800 role before Schwarzenegger. Now, James Cameron finally addresses what really happened.
Nearly two years back, Arnold Schwarzenegger stirred up a bit of a fuss when he suggested he wasn’t the first bloke in line to play the T-800 in The Terminator. On a podcast, he claimed that O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star turned actor, was actually the original pick for the role of the relentless cyborg. That story’s been doing the rounds ever since, with punters and film buffs alike debating whether it was true or just a bit of Hollywood myth-making.
Now, director James Cameron has weighed in once more, aiming to clear up the confusion. The story goes that Simpson was considered for the part, but Cameron’s latest comments seem to put the matter to bed. He’s not one for letting tall tales run wild, especially when it comes to the origins of one of his most iconic films.
Schwarzenegger’s Surprising Claim
Back when Schwarzenegger made his claim, it caught heaps of people off guard. The idea of Simpson as the T-800 was a bit of a head-scratcher for many. Schwarzenegger, known for his dry humour, didn’t seem to be taking the mickey, but the story still sounded a bit far-fetched. Fans started digging into old interviews and production notes, trying to work out if there was any truth to it.
Simpson, who was a big name in both sport and film at the time, had already made a splash in Hollywood. Still, the thought of him as a cold, unstoppable machine from the future was hard for some to picture. The rumour gained traction, with some even suggesting that Simpson had been all but signed on before the studio changed its mind.
Cameron’s Take on the Casting Rumour
James Cameron, never one to shy away from setting the record straight, has now addressed the story again.
He’s confirmed that while Simpson’s name may have come up in early discussions, he was never seriously in the running for the role.
According to Cameron, the idea didn’t get much further than a passing mention. He’s made it clear that the casting process was more straightforward than the rumour mill would have you believe.
Cameron’s comments have put a pin in the speculation, at least for now. He’s not keen on letting myths overshadow the real story behind the making of his classic film. For fans, it’s a reminder that not every bit of Hollywood gossip has a grain of truth to it, no matter how entertaining it might be.