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O.J. Simpson Almost Played One of the Most Iconic Villains in Movie History

An Orion executive pitched Simpson for the role, but James Cameron rejected the idea almost immediately before Schwarzenegger was cast.

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Although Arnold Schwarzenegger’s name was being thrown around for The Terminator early on, the bodybuilder-turned-actor’s reps weren’t sure about him playing a villain and pushed for him to get the part of Kyle Reese. Director James Cameron wasn’t sold on the idea because he felt that if he cast Schwarzenegger in the role, he’d have to find someone even bigger to portray the Terminator.

Cameron then reluctantly met with Schwarzenegger, intending to pick a fight so the whole plan would be dismissed. The two bonded during the meeting, and after seeing........

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