Schwarzenegger Reveals ‘Twins’ Was His Highest-Grossing Film, earning Over $40 Million
A surprising revelation from Arnold Schwarzenegger indicates his 1988 comedy Twins generated a larger personal payout than his iconic role in the Terminator.
Schwarzenegger recently disclosed that Twins remains his most lucrative film venture, a testament to a savvy deal structure that prioritized profit participation over an upfront salary. The actor shared this facts during an appearance on watch What happens Live with Andy Cohen.
betting on Himself: The ‘twins’ Deal
“It was Twins because we had gotten no money, no salary,” Schwarzenegger explained, as reported by a source familiar with the broadcast. He further clarified,”You got a piece of the backend.” This “backend” deal, where the actor receives a percentage of the film’s profits, proved exceptionally fruitful. “Exactly. Adn it was fantastic. We went all the way to the bank with that one,” he added.
While the FUBAR star declined to specify the exact amount, he confirmed his earnings from Twins exceeded $40 million – more than any other film in his extensive career. This outcome stemmed from a calculated risk: Schwarzenegger initially accepted no salary for Twins to demonstrate his versatility and comedic potential to Hollywood studios.
A Sequel That Never Was: ‘triplets’
the conversation with Cohen also touched on a potential sequel to Twins. Schwarzenegger revealed plans for a film titled Triplets, which would have added Eddie Murphy to the dynamic alongside himself and Danny DeVito. Though, the project was tragically halted by the death of director Ivan Reitman “just before we wanted to start shooting the movie.”
From Low Budget to Blockbuster Profits
The original film, Twins, centered on the unlikely reunion of a genetically engineered perfect man and his crude, short-statured twin brother. The buddy comedy, starring Schwarzenegger and DeVito, resonated with audiences and ultimately grossed over $200 million worldwide, transforming a low-budget gamble into one of the most profitable backend deals in film history. This success underscores the power of strategic negotiation and a willingness to invest in oneself,even in the face of initial financial uncertainty.
