Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Emotional Breakdown Over Action Movie Failure
Back in the 1990s, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone were rivaling each other for the title of biggest action star. While both actors had massive hits, Schwarzenegger appeared set to pull ahead with the release of “Last Action Hero” in June 1993.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Major Setback
“Last Action Hero” was expected to be a blockbuster success. The film featured Schwarzenegger in the role of Jack Slater, a fictional cop character beloved by 10-year-old Danny Madigan, played by Austin O’Brien. The plot emphasized action and adventure, including a magic ticket that allowed Danny to join the movie world.
Film Production Challenges
- The screenplay underwent significant changes, involving multiple writers.
- Schwarzenegger’s $15 million salary increased the already substantial budget.
- An extravagant marketing campaign, including a NASA rocket promotion, further strained the finances.
Despite these efforts, the film faced stiff competition from “Jurassic Park,” which dominated theatres. The marketing expenses resulted in financial losses for Sony, despite earning $137 million against an $85 million budget.
Emotional Impact on Schwarzenegger
The failure of “Last Action Hero” was a significant blow to Schwarzenegger’s confidence. In the Netflix documentary “Arnold,” he described the experience as embarrassing and painful. Filmmaker James Cameron, a close collaborator with Schwarzenegger, noted the emotional toll it took on him.
Recovery and Resilience
Despite the setback, Schwarzenegger quickly bounced back the following year with “True Lies,” directed by Cameron. The movie returned Schwarzenegger to box office success despite its high budget.
The experience of “Last Action Hero” marked a turning point in Schwarzenegger’s career. It signaled the end of his dominance as the king of action films and brought closer scrutiny of action movie budgets.
