Arnold Schwarzenegger regrets Hercules in New York bear fight scene more than any other moment from his storied film career, a sentiment he has expressed openly in recent years. In his first feature film appearance, Schwarzenegger’s unique introduction to Hollywood came not through action-packed blockbusters, but a low-budget comedy that later left him plagued by embarrassment and amusement in equal measure.
Rethinking a Controversial Debut: Schwarzenegger’s Start in Hollywood
Before he became an iconic movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped onto the big screen at only 22 with Hercules in New York, a 1970 fantasy comedy directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman. Already famous as a champion bodybuilder, Schwarzenegger took on the role of Hercules, the mythological hero exiled to modern-day New York by his father, Zeus. While the opportunity seemed like a dream realized—having grown up inspired by Reg Park’s own portrayal of the ancient hero—it quickly became evident that this debut was worlds away from the critical and popular successes that would later define his career in works like The Terminator and Total Recall.
The film itself, intended to mix comedy and fantasy, instead exposed Schwarzenegger’s lack of acting experience. His inexperience was further highlighted by wooden line deliveries, a struggle made worse by producers’ decision to credit him as “Arnold Strong” and to dub his voice, considering his Austrian accent too thick for American audiences. These changes created a dissonance in the film, and for Schwarzenegger, the experience became both a lesson and, in retrospect, a source of discomfort.
The Infamous Central Park Bear Fight: A Moment Schwarzenegger Can’t Forget
One particular scene stands out as the point of greatest regret—the Central Park bear fight. For devoted fans and curious viewers, Hercules in New York offers a quirky footnote in his filmography, best remembered for its oddity rather than brilliance. The infamous sequence features Schwarzenegger’s Hercules battling a bear, a scene so poorly executed that even the star himself could only describe it as “ludicrous.”
“I hadn’t seen it in so long and my kids got it and put it on, and they saw me wrestling a bear, and I had to stop and watch this entire fight scene with that bear. Just to watch how ludicrous it was.”
According to Schwarzenegger, the “bear” in question was merely a man in a coat, not a trained animal or even a convincing costume. Despite sharing a laugh over the absurd brawl with his children when they encountered the film on television years later, the actor openly admits this is a cinematic moment he would erase if he could.
The Weight of Embarrassment: Attempting to Bury the Past
Schwarzenegger’s conflicted feelings about his first film have surfaced over the years. In a candid appearance on David Letterman’s late-night show, he reflected on just how much he wanted to distance himself from this particular title.
“… a movie that I’ve tried to hide for centuries.”
Though he maintains a sense of humor about the project, the bear fight represents a sequence he never wanted to become the subject of family movie nights or television reruns. Schwarzenegger’s effort to concealing the film’s existence, however, has only cemented its status as something of a cult curiosity—revisited by fans, critics, and even talk show hosts for its campy, eccentric qualities and the star’s visible inexperience.
Critical Reception and IMDb’s Harsh Judgment
Hercules in New York did little to impress critics or audiences and has earned its position on IMDb’s list of the lowest rated films, sitting at number 69 on the site’s notorious chart. The film’s legacy is defined not just by Schwarzenegger’s discomfort, but also by the reputation it carries alongside other infamous bombs. It rests just above titles like Police Academy: Mission to Moscow but below Schwarzenegger’s own Batman & Robin, which itself is often regarded as a cinematic misfire.
Despite sporadic moments of unintended humor and the energetic efforts of supporting actors like Arnold Stang, the movie’s poor production values and unconvincing performances have rendered it a tough watch. While some viewers appreciate the movie as a campy gem or odd footnote in Schwarzenegger’s career, most agree that its ignominy on IMDb’s rankings is well deserved.
Bouncing Back: From Laughable Debut to Blockbuster Success
If Hercules in New York stung for Schwarzenegger, it did not stall his ambitions for long. Shortly after the film’s underwhelming reception, he refocused on bodybuilding—a move that indirectly paved the way for his future in Hollywood. Appearing as himself in the 1977 documentary Pumping Iron, Schwarzenegger finally allowed his personality and charisma to shine, catching the industry’s attention and marking a turning point in his career.
This renewed focus led to his breakthrough role as the lead in Conan the Barbarian and, soon afterward, as the unforgettable cyborg assassin in The Terminator. The years that followed—punctuated by hits like Commando, Predator, Twins, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day—transformed Schwarzenegger from an uncertain actor with humble beginnings into one of cinema’s most famous and bankable action stars.
Hercules in New York quickly faded into obscurity, referenced mainly for comic effect on talk shows or in retrospective discussions of Schwarzenegger’s evolution as an actor. The awkward dialogue and bizarre bear brawl became fodder for lighthearted ridicule, marking just how far Schwarzenegger’s skills and public persona had come since that early stumble in Central Park.
The Enduring Impact of a Regrettable Scene
For all the embarrassment and regret he associates with his first film, Schwarzenegger’s reflection on the Hercules in New York bear fight scene reveals much about his journey as a cultural icon. His willingness to laugh at his past failures, and even to share them with his children, demonstrates the resilience required to persist in Hollywood. The bear fight stands as a reminder of a phase before stardom, when mistakes became lessons and even the worst moments could be turned into endearing anecdotes.
Schwarzenegger’s regret over the absurd Central Park sequence has not diminished his place among action heroes, nor has it obscured his accomplishments as an actor, bodybuilder, politician, businessperson, and producer. Instead, his open self-criticism and humor about the bear fight have only added to his legacy, offering fans a unique glimpse behind the mythos of the star who brought Conan, the Terminator, and so many other unforgettable characters to life.
As new generations discover his classic roles, and as remakes and reboots revisit the films that made him famous, Hercules in New York remains a unique chapter in Schwarzenegger’s story—one filled with cringe, laughter, and a bear fight he wishes he could erase forever but instead must live with as part of the journey to becoming a Hollywood legend.
