During the 1980s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was the box-office king, churning out hits like ‘The Terminator‘ and ‘Predator‘ that solidified his legacy as an action hero. However, even as Schwarzenegger reached unprecedented levels of fame worldwide, there were signs that he was considering taking on a much riskier film.
Indeed, it appears the famous action star turned down an offer to play a violent role in the psychological thriller ‘Steroid.’ The film had a dark storyline, posing the possibility of changing his entire career trajectory. Instead, Schwarzenegger chose to pass on the project, which became one of the most interesting “what ifs” in movie history.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Almost Took Part In A Risky Thriller
During the 1980s, Arnold Schwarzenegger became one of the world’s best-paid action stars thanks to films such as ‘The Terminator,’ ‘Predator,’ and ‘The Running Man.’ Fans expected these movies to feature their idol’s trademark characteristics, an unstoppable hero that could survive virtually any encounter against evil villains.
Interestingly, during his prime, Schwarzenegger briefly considered starring in an unusually violent and controversial project that was unlike anything else in his filmography.
The legendary actor reportedly explored the possibility of starring in a horror film titled ‘Steroid,’ a production that would stand apart from the action-packed roles that defined his career.
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At first glance, it might seem odd that Schwarzenegger would consider playing a lead role in a genre that wasn’t up his alley. However, it should be noted that it was only due to his interest in working with director Stuart Gordon, who had previously directed the cult classic ‘Re-Animator’.
It appears that Schwarzenegger and Gordon wanted to work together because both liked mixing elements of body horror, psychological drama, and gore in their productions. In terms of Schwarzenegger’s career, ‘Steroid‘ presented him with a unique opportunity to experiment with acting outside his comfort zone.
‘Steroid’ Offered Schwarzenegger A Different Role From His Usual Persona
For instance, instead of starring in yet another action flick, Schwarzenegger had the opportunity to play a professional wrestler in the midst of a psychological breakdown.
As per the plot, the wrestler’s reliance on d—- causes him to experience paranoia, instability, and even aggression. Ultimately, the wrestler goes on a bloody rampage through New York City.
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However, the story was never developed into a film, leaving some fans to wonder what would have happened if the ‘Terminator‘ actor had taken on one of his darkest roles.
Instead, Schwarzenegger moved on to other projects, like ‘Twins,’ which did broaden his range beyond the action genre but never really tested his chops with morally grey characters. Who knows? If ‘Steroid‘ came to fruition and became a smash hit, he might have turned into a dead-serious character actor.
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