There’s no doubt that Arnold Schwarzenegger is one tough guy. Before entering Hollywood to become an action star, he was already a decorated bodybuilder and was even a male pageant winner.
That said, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Austrian born would also excel starring in action-packed thriller flicks. What some may not know, though, are the literal blood, sweat, and tears Schwarzenegger puts into the movies he makes.
Set Mishap
One incident that showed his dedication to acting is a set mishap that happened while he was shooting for his 1990 blockbuster film ‘Total Recall,’ which coincidentally is celebrating its 30th anniversary this June.
Looking back, Schwarzenegger told Yahoo! Entertainment about how he was injured with a deep wound on his wrist when an accident happened on set. It was during a scene where he was supposed to break a window with a firearm in his hand.
Unfortunately, the prop people didn’t shatter the glass window at the right time resulting in the actor cutting himself. The injury needed to be fixed up with stitches during a midnight lunch break.
Ever the professional, Schwarzenegger was ready to continue filming again shortly after.
Classic Flick
For the unfamiliar, the actor starred in ‘Total Recall’ as Douglas Quaid, a man with an erased memory going on a journey to Mars. There, he would learn of his history as a secret agent.
The film grossed $261.3 million on a $60 million budget, making it a commercial success for the cast and crew. Not only that, but ‘Total Recall’ was also nominated for two Academy Awards–one for Best Sound Effects Editing and another for Best Sound.
Although it didn’t win in those categories, it was given a Special Achievement Academy Award for its visual effects, further cementing its status as a classic sci-fi action flick.
Behind the Scenes
Schwarzenegger isn’t the only one with an interesting behind the scenes story about the film though. Michael Ironside, who played the villain in the movie, shared what it was like working with the former bodybuilder.
Ironside described his co-star as ‘very sweet.’ He also told a story about how Schwarzenegger said to him that he made him look good.
‘Total Recall’ got a movie remake in 2012 starring Colin Farrell and Kate Beckinsale in the lead roles. While it enjoyed some success in the box office, it wasn’t as critically-acclaimed as its predecessor was.