Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 'Terminator 3' snubbed by Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott reportedly turned down $20 million to direct Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator 3.

The 87-year-old director revealed that he could have helmed Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, but the offer wasn’t enough to tempt him.

In an interview with The Guardian, he disclosed that the project simply “wasn’t his thing.”

Scott, known for Gladiator and the Alien franchise, explained that despite the eye-watering offer, the film’s tone did not align with his style.

“It’s like doing a Bond movie. The essence of a Bond movie is fun and camp. Terminator is pure comic strip. I would try to make it real,” he said.

He admitted that he briefly considered matching Schwarzenegger’s salary for the role of the T-800 robot.

“When they said yes, I thought: ‘F--- me,’” he recalled.

The job eventually went to Jonathan Mostow, who had previously directed Breakdown and U-571.

Scott instead turned his attention to Black Hawk Down, which went on to win two Oscars.

However, he remains open to revisiting franchises he has worked on, having directed Prometheus and Alien: Covenant and served as executive producer on Blade Runner 2049.

Notably, his next project, The Dog Stars, stars Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin in a post-pandemic thriller, and is set to hit UK cinemas on March 27, 2026.

What is Arnold Schwarzenegger's most famous movie?

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most famous movie is The Terminator released in 1984, where he played the iconic T-800 robot.

He is also widely known for Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which cemented his status as an action legend.

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