The World According to Arnold

Hollywood superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger knows what he wants—and usually gets it.

David Shaw
From the Print Edition:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Summer 96

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We leave, and not long after, Schwarzenegger is called for his next scene, to be filmed inside an airplane. Schwarzenegger's co-star, James Caan, knows that for the airplane-chases-man-in-parachute scene, Schwarzenegger has spent a great deal of time recently being filmed while hanging from the ceiling of the sound stage, suspended in an intricate leather harness that's left his chest black and blue from the pressure.

 

"So, Arnold," Caan says, a malicious grin splitting his face, "you been doing some more hanging today?"

 

Before Schwarzenegger can reply, another actor pipes up: "Arnold's already well-hung."

 

Titters abound.

The assistant director calls for quiet--"and action!" This scene is largely Caan's; in it, Schwarzenegger is supposed to get up from his seat on the plane, walk slowly toward Caan, pick up a bottle of water and answer a question during a conversation between Caan and another actor. But the camera is rolling and Schwarzenegger hasn't moved.

 

Caan looks at him, the same grin in place. "Action means you, you fucking putz--you come and get the bottle of water." Everyone bursts into laughter. Director Chuck Russell yells, "Cut!" Then they run through the scene again. And again. And again. Nine times in all. It's never quite perfect. After the ninth take, Russell says, "Excellent. I really like that. Really good performances.

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