James Cameron reveals Ecstasy and Sting inspired John Connor and Terminator 2 almost featured Arnold vs. Arnold

As Terminator 2: Judgment Day celebrates its 35th anniversary with a global re-release, this is a good time to look back at the interview where director James Cameron shared new insights into the creative process behind one of the greatest sci-fi action films ever made. In a Oral History of Terminator 2 published by The Ringer, Cameron revealed that the idea for John Connor was born while he was listening to Sting’s music after taking Ecstasy. He also discussed an early version of the sequel that almost featured Arnold Schwarzenegger battling another Terminator played by himself, along with the surprising possibility of musician Billy Idol playing the T-1000.

Key Takeaways

• James Cameron says the inspiration for John Connor came while listening to Sting’s song “Russians” while high on Ecstasy during the writing of The Terminator.
• Cameron considered making Terminator 2 an “Arnold vs. Arnold” movie before creating the T-1000.
• Billy Idol was briefly considered to play the liquid-metal Terminator.
• The T-1000 was envisioned as an experimental Skynet weapon that was even more dangerous than the original Terminator.
• Cameron ultimately merged multiple story ideas to create the version of Terminator 2 audiences know today.

Released in 1991, Terminator 2: Judgment Day follows a reprogrammed T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who is sent back in time to protect young John Connor from the advanced shape-shifting T-1000, a mission that forever changed the Terminator franchise and cemented the sequel’s reputation as one of the greatest action films ever made.

James Cameron says Sting helped inspire John Connor

The Ringer’s extensive retrospective is highly recommended for fans of both Terminator 2: Judgment Day and The Terminator, offering stories from many of the people who helped bring the film to life.

Among the biggest revelations is Cameron’s explanation of how the emotional core of the Terminator saga came together.

While writing The Terminator, Cameron recalled sitting and listening to Sting’s song “Russians” while under the influence of Ecstasy (also known as Molly). The lyrics about the threat of nuclear war led him to rethink the story’s central focus.

Cameron explained: “I remember sitting there once, high on E, writing notes for Terminator, and I was struck by Sting’s song, that ‘I hope the Russians love their children too.’ And I thought, ‘You know what? The idea of a nuclear war is just so antithetical to life itself.’ That’s where the kid came from.“

That realization led to the creation of John Connor, the future leader of humanity’s resistance against Skynet.

Terminator 2 nearly became Arnold vs. Arnold

After Carolco Pictures acquired the Terminator rights for $15 million and offered Cameron $6 million to direct a sequel, he immediately began developing ideas for the follow-up.

The liquid-metal Terminator that became the T-1000 was one possibility, but it wasn’t the only direction Cameron explored. He also considered making both Terminators look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

As Cameron recalled: “Skynet sends a terminator, another Arnold terminator, to take out John, and the resistance sends one that’s been reprogrammed, that would’ve been Arnold too. So Arnold would become a dark hero character, obviously.“

The concept would have resulted in Schwarzenegger battling another version of himself instead of facing a completely new type of enemy.

Why Cameron chose the T-1000 instead

Eventually, Cameron became more fascinated by the idea of introducing a villain unlike anything audiences had seen before. He envisioned the liquid-metal Terminator as an experimental weapon that even Skynet feared using.

Cameron explained: “[Skynet would] think long and hard about pulling the trigger on sending the experimental, one-off super weapon that they’ve created, that even they’re terrified to use. I didn’t call it the T-1000—it was just a liquid metal robot. And so now the thing that’s coming at you is much, much scarier than that other metal endoskeleton guy with his skin hanging off. I took that guy out of the story…“

For a time, that meant eliminating Arnold Schwarzenegger’s original Terminator from the sequel altogether.

Bringing Arnold back changed everything

Cameron eventually realized he didn’t have to choose between the two concepts. Instead, he merged them.

As he explained: “I thought, ‘Let’s bring that guy back. Let’s make him the adversary.’ I merged the two ideas. Instead of Arnold versus Arnold, it was Arnold versus the scary liquid metal weapon.“

The decision gave audiences both the returning T-800 and the groundbreaking T-1000, creating one of the most memorable rivalries in action movie history.

Cameron’s co-writer William Wisher fully supported the change, saying: “Having Arnold fight another Arnold is just boring. Boring, boring, boring.“

Billy Idol was once considered for the T-1000

While Sting helped inspire The Terminator, another musician entered Cameron’s thinking during the development of Terminator 2.

According to Cameron, there was a period when he considered casting Billy Idol as the T-1000 because the musician had “a really interesting look and presence.”

The role ultimately went to Robert Patrick, whose chilling performance became one of the defining movie villains of the 1990s.

The Oral History includes many of the film’s biggest names

The Ringer’s anniversary retrospective also features comments from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Joe Morton, and many other cast and crew members who helped make Terminator 2. One notable absence is Linda Hamilton, who chose not to participate.

For longtime fans of The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the Oral History offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how one of cinema’s most influential science fiction sequels came together.

FAQ

Did James Cameron say he created John Connor while on Ecstasy?

Cameron said he was high on Ecstasy while writing notes for The Terminator when listening to Sting’s song “Russians” led him to the idea that eventually became John Connor.

What Sting song inspired James Cameron?

According to Cameron, it was Sting’s anti-nuclear song “Russians,” particularly the lyric, “I hope the Russians love their children too.”

Was Billy Idol almost cast as the T-1000?

Yes. Cameron revealed that Billy Idol was briefly considered because he had “a really interesting look and presence” before Robert Patrick ultimately landed the role.

Was Arnold Schwarzenegger originally supposed to play both Terminators?

At one stage, Cameron considered having Skynet send another Arnold-looking Terminator while the Resistance also sent a reprogrammed Arnold Terminator to protect John Connor, creating an “Arnold vs. Arnold” storyline.

Why did Cameron create the T-1000?

Cameron wanted a villain that was far more frightening than the original Terminator. He imagined the liquid-metal assassin as an experimental Skynet weapon so dangerous that even the machines hesitated to deploy it.

Who appears in The Ringer’s Terminator 2 Oral History?

The retrospective includes interviews with James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Joe Morton, and numerous other cast and crew members. Linda Hamilton did not participate.

The post James Cameron reveals Ecstasy and Sting inspired John Connor and Terminator 2 almost featured Arnold vs. Arnold appeared first on JoBlo.