Second time lucky

Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, “The Terminator”

Original Casting Choice: Writer-director James Cameron initially wanted Lance Henriksen to play the killer cyborg from the future. Until he met with Schwarzenegger for the role of hero Kyle Reese. Cameron wisely realized the imposing Austrian former bodybuilder would be a more natural fit as the unstoppable antagonist.

Why the Switch Worked: Need we explain? Schwarzenegger was so iconic as the Terminator that fans still attempt (mostly lousy) impressions of his signature catchphrase, “I’ll be back!” It’s hard to imagine the line done justice by Henriksen’s raspy pipes, though he would go on to play Bishop in Cameron’s “Aliens,” a robot better suited to his talents.