Arnold Schwarzenegger Made a Fortune from This 80s Cult Comedy, Taking 40% of the Profits!

One might think movies like Terminator, Predator, or Conan the Barbarian were the highest earners for Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yet, it was the 1988 comedy, Twins, that brought him the most financial success.

This was particularly remarkable since few in Hollywood believed at the time that the muscular Austrian actor could successfully pull off a comedic role.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Aimed to Shift His Image

By the late 1980s, the star wanted to distance himself from the invincible warriors and killing machines that had defined his filmography. Determined to venture into lighter roles, he teamed up with his friend Danny DeVito to find a script that would bring them together.

They initially considered Suburban Commando, but the project was still too action-heavy for their taste. It eventually went ahead with former wrestler Hulk Hogan in the lead. Schwarzenegger and DeVito, on the other hand, settled on a far more unlikely concept: a story about twin brothers who are complete opposites.

In Twins, a 1953 scientific experiment intended to create an exceptional being from the genetic material of six men goes awry when the surrogate mother gives birth to two boys. Separated at birth, Julius, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Vincent, portrayed by Danny DeVito, discover their familial connection despite their vastly different physiques and personalities.

No Salaries for the Trio

The studio was nervous about the risk of casting an action star in a leading comedic role. To get the movie off the ground, Schwarzenegger, DeVito, and director Ivan Reitman agreed to forgo their fees.

Instead, they negotiated a lucrative deal for a share of the film’s profits. “We took 40% of the profits!,” Schwarzenegger later revealed.

The gamble paid off handsomely: Twins grossed over 216 million dollars worldwide. Thanks to this deal, Schwarzenegger reportedly made more than 40 million dollars, making this comedy the most profitable film of his career.

A Sequel That Never Came to Be

Buoyed by their success, the trio later reunited for Junior, another comedy based on an outlandish concept. A sequel to Twins, titled Triplets, was in development for years.

Eddie Murphy was initially set to play the third brother, but was later replaced by Tracy Morgan. The project seemed on the verge of happening when Ivan Reitman’s death in February 2022 halted its progress. Contrary to earlier reports, Triplets is not planned for 2028: Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed via People that the sequel had been shelved.

Twins is currently available for rental or purchase on VOD in France.

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