13 Things You Never Knew About 'True Lies' on its 25th Anniversary
It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since director James Cameron and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger last got together to blow things up and make movie magic. They sure don't make action movies like "True Lies" anymore. Celebrate this big movie milestone by learning more about the making of this beloved action movie.
1. True Lies is a remake of a 1991 French comedy called "La Totale!".
2. Cameron hired a team of writers to help punch up the script's comedy. He ultimately abandoned most of that material, but he did keep one soon-to-be-iconic one-liner, "You're fired!"
3. While its budget may pale in comparison to current blockbusters, "True Lies" set a record by being the first movie with a production budget over $100 million.
4. Schwarzenegger spent six months training for the tango dancing scene. Schwarzenegger said he used Al Pacino's performance in "Scent of a Woman" as inspiration/motivation.
5. Fortunately, Schwarzenegger didn't need nearly as much practice for the horseback riding sequences. He was able to rely on his previous experience working on "Conan the Barbarian" and "Conan the Destroyer."
6. The moment where Jamie Lee Curtis' Helen falls during her striptease dance was an unplanned accident that Cameron kept in the final version.. That's why Schwarzenegger briefly sits up in surprise when Curtis falls.
7. Gib's rant about his ex-wife taking his ice cube trays was inspired by a similar incident from Tom Arnold and Roseanne Barr's divorce.
8. The bad publicity surrounding that divorce made Fox execs reluctant to cast Arnold in the film. Fortunately, Cameron stood up for Arnold and threatened to walk if Arnold didn't get the part. He ended up being one of the movie's highlights.
9.Charlton Heston's character Director Trilby is heavily inspired by the Marvel Comics character Nick Fury, right down to the eye patch and job description.
10. "True Lies" is the only Cameron film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects but not win.
11. As of July 2019, "True Lies" still isn't available on Blu-ray. Cameron has indicated that a new HD transfer was completed, but he has yet to find time in his busy schedule to review and approve it.
12. A sequel almost happened in the early 2000's. A script was completed and Cameron and the original cast were slated to return, but Cameron's enthusiasm waned following the 9/11 terror attacks.
13. Following years of rumors, a TV adaptation is being developed for the Disney+ streaming service.