Few filmmakers can match the stature of James Cameron – the visionary who has repeatedly outdone the competition, be it with Aliens, Titanic, or the record-breaking Avatar and Avatar: The Way Of Water. But his remarkable journey truly began 40 years ago, with a small film called The Terminator that emerged seemingly from nowhere and quickly captured the public's imagination. It's not hard to understand why. The film's mind-bending time-travel narrative, memorable lines (“Come with me if you want to live!”), intense action sequences, and a heartfelt love story at its core all contributed to its success. However, perhaps the most crucial element was Arnold Schwarzenegger's commanding performance as the relentless killing machine, a character that instantly became a cinematic legend whose impact has only grown over time. This film marked the beginning of a four-decade-long career for Hollywood's most successful director.
In a recent extensive interview, Cameron spoke with Empire, celebrating all things Terminator and reflecting on its origins. “I was just a young, ambitious filmmaker when I directed The Terminator,” he recalls. “I was 29 at the time, and it was my first real directing opportunity.” Despite being let go from Piranha II (where he technically received his first directorial credit), “The Terminator was my true debut,” Cameron emphasizes, “and it holds a special place in my heart for that reason.”
While The Terminator has become a Hollywood classic, Cameron remains pragmatic about the film today. “I don't view it as some sacred relic, that's for sure,” he tells Empire. “When I watch it now, there are parts that make me cringe, and others where I think, ‘We did pretty well with the resources we had.’” He elaborates, “It's mainly the production quality that I find lacking. I don't cringe at the dialogue, but I seem to have a lower threshold for cringing than many people do when it comes to my writing.” The film's box office success speaks volumes. “Let's see your three highest-grossing films — then we can discuss dialogue effectiveness.” Critics be damned.
For Cameron, the lasting impact of The Terminator can be largely attributed to the casting of Arnold Schwarzenegger – not the stealthy, elusive killer he initially envisioned, but the massively muscular, formidable robo-tank that helped shape the film's identity. “I think many first-time filmmakers get too attached to their original vision, often out of insecurity,” Cameron muses. “I'm proud that we were flexible enough to see how Arnold could make it work, even though it wasn't our initial vision. Looking back 40 years later, we could have made a decent film from a production standpoint, but it would have been nothing without that pivotal decision that captured people's imaginations.” Hasta la vista, indeed.
Read Empire's comprehensive new interview with James Cameron – discussing the enduring legacy of The Terminator and its sequels; the recurring themes in his career; his evolving relationship with the original film; and what lies ahead for the franchise – in the November 2024 issue, available on Thursday, September 26. Pre-order your copy online here.
