The Terminator producer, Gale Anne Hurd, recently revealed a key scene that was cut from the 1984 film by director James Cameron. Hurd took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to share the scene, which focused on how Cyberdyne Systems obtained the computer chip that would ultimately be used in the Terminators.
In her tweet, Hurd explained that the decision to cut the scene was influenced by the film’s financier, John Daly of Hemdale Films. Daly had an output deal with Orion Pictures but had yet to produce a hit film. Hurd stated, “They insisted we use financier friends not actors in this scene, which ruined it for us.” The inclusion of these friends as actors in the film was necessary due to the Taft-Hartley Act, which allowed non-union actors to work on certain projects. Hurd speculated that Daly insisted on this demand because the financiers were promised a return on their investment and had not yet received one. Daly himself did not believe that the film would be successful.
When a fan asked why Cameron cut the scene, Hurd responded that he was never satisfied with “just ok” and always strived for excellence. This commitment to quality ultimately paid off, as The Terminator became a massive success, spawning five sequels and launching the career of its star, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger himself recently spoke out about the film’s impact, claiming that The Terminator accurately predicted the future of artificial intelligence (AI). In an event in June, he stated, “Today, everyone is frightened of it, of where this is gonna go… And in this movie, in Terminator, we talk about the machines becoming self-aware and they take over.” He emphasized that at the time of the film’s release, AI was still a relatively new concept, but over the course of decades, it has become a reality. Schwarzenegger credited James Cameron’s extraordinary writing for foreseeing this technological advancement.
The Terminator’s influence on the topic of AI in Hollywood has been substantial. With the rise of AI technology in recent years, there has been increased debate and concern about its potential implications. The film’s portrayal of machines becoming self-aware and taking control over humans has become a cautionary tale for many.
Overall, the revelation of the cut scene from The Terminator offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes challenges faced during its production. Despite the interference of financiers and the removal of this particular scene, the film went on to achieve great success and leave a lasting impact on both the sci-fi genre and discussions surrounding AI.
