Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed that his most profitable film role was not an action blockbuster, but the 1988 comedy Twins, making the Arnold Schwarzenegger Twins movie his biggest payday. During a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in Hollywood, Schwarzenegger explained how his back-end deal far exceeded any traditional salary he’d earned for other films.
Schwarzenegger Details the Unexpected Windfall from ‘Twins’
The movie Twins, where Schwarzenegger starred alongside Danny DeVito, was a commercial success. However, the true financial victory for Arnold came from how the agreement was structured. Instead of receiving a typical Hollywood paycheck, Schwarzenegger and his co-stars secured a stake in the film’s box office performance.
“Well, number one, it was ‘Twins.’”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Action Star
“We got no money, no salary—but we had ownership,”
Schwarzenegger explained.
“And it was fantastic. We went all the way to the bank with that one.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Action Star
Andy Cohen was visibly surprised that the comedian’s first major comedic role outperformed Schwarzenegger’s legendary action movies financially. Cohen sought specifics:
“Did you make more than $20 million on that one?”
Schwarzenegger affirmed it was indeed “much more.” Cohen pushed further, asking if the sum topped $40 million, and Schwarzenegger confirmed,
“It was more than that. It was more than in any movie I’ve ever made. Let’s just put it that way.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Action Star
The Story Behind the Unfinished ‘Twins’ Sequel
The conversation shifted toward whether a sequel to Twins had ever been considered. Cohen inquired about the possibility of repeating the lucrative ownership deal for a follow-up film.
“Did you have ownership in ‘Twins 2’?”
—Andy Cohen, Television Host
“Uh, we don’t have ‘Twins 2,’”
Schwarzenegger replied. —Arnold Schwarzenegger, Action Star
Schwarzenegger elaborated that a sequel, with the working title Triplets, had been in development. The plan was to add Eddie Murphy as a third sibling. However, tragedy struck when director Ivan Reitman passed away before production could begin.
“It was not done because the director, Ivan Reitman, passed away just before we wanted to start shooting the movie.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Action Star
Cohen responded with disappointment that the project never made it to the screen. Despite the setback, Schwarzenegger continues to work in both comedic and dramatic roles, most recently starring in Netflix’s action-comedy series FUBAR.
Schwarzenegger Family Legacy Thrives in Entertainment
While Arnold Schwarzenegger is an icon in both the action and comedy genres, his family is now making headlines as well. His son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, has built his own acting career, earning broad recognition for his appearance in HBO’s acclaimed series The White Lotus.
Patrick’s performance in the third season of the popular drama series drew millions of viewers and established him as a notable talent in Hollywood, continuing the Schwarzenegger family’s presence in the industry. The dynamic between father and son highlights how their legacy continues to evolve on screen for new generations.
