Nobody thought it would work. Seriously. Back in the late '80s, the idea of pairing the world’s most famous bodybuilder with a 4-foot-10 character actor seemed like a fever dream born in a smoky Hollywood boardroom. But when Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito as twins hit the screen in 1988, it didn't just work—it shattered every expectation the industry had about "The Austrian Oak" and his range.
If you’re looking for the quintessential buddy comedy, this is the blueprint. But there’s a lot more to the story than just the height difference.
The Most Genius Financial Gamble in Movie History
You’ve probably heard Arnold makes a lot of money. But did you know that Twins actually paid him more than The Terminator or Predator? It sounds fake, but it’s 100% factual.
Universal Pictures was terrified of Arnie doing comedy. They saw him as a machine that printed money only when he was holding a machine gun. So, Arnold, Danny DeVito, and director Ivan Reitman made a deal that was unheard of at the time. They agreed to take zero salary upfront. No paycheck. Nothing.
Instead, they negotiated for "back-end" ownership. They basically bet on themselves, taking 40% of the film’s profits.
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- Production Budget: $15 million - $18 million (modest for a star vehicle).
- Box Office: $216 million worldwide.
- The Result: Arnold walked away with over $40 million.
He once laughed in an interview about how the studio tried to play hardball, and it ended up being the smartest financial move of his life. It’s kinda hilarious when you think about it—the studio thought they were saving money by not paying him, and they ended up handing over a fortune because the movie was a massive hit.
The Science of the Benedict Brothers
The plot is basically peak '80s weirdness. You have Julius Benedict (Schwarzenegger), the "perfect" human created in a lab, and Vincent (DeVito), the "crap" that was left over.
Honestly, the movie is surprisingly sweet. Julius is this innocent, hyper-intelligent giant who has spent his whole life on an island. Vincent is a small-time hoodlum in Los Angeles who steals cars and owes money to the wrong people. When they finally meet, it's not just a sight gag. It’s a story about two guys who are desperately lonely finding a reason to belong.
People forget that Kelly Preston and Chloe Webb were actually great in this too. They weren't just "the girlfriends"; they grounded the absurdity.
Why the chemistry felt so real
Arnold and Danny didn't just act like brothers for the cameras. They became legitimate best friends. They still hang out today! You’ve probably seen the videos of them at Arnold’s house with his pet donkey, Lulu, and his pony, Whiskey. That bond started on the set of Twins when DeVito decided it would be a great idea to prank the Terminator.
During lunch one day, Danny laced Arnold’s cigar with a little bit of marijuana. Arnold went back to the set, totally forgot all his lines, and couldn't stop giggling. Ivan Reitman had to shut down production for the afternoon. Arnold still tells that story with a massive grin on his face.
Whatever Happened to the Sequel "Triplets"?
For decades, we were teased with the idea of a sequel. It was going to be called Triplets. The pitch was simple: Julius and Vincent discover they have a third brother. For a long time, Eddie Murphy was the name attached to the project. Later, Tracy Morgan was set to step in.
The script was finished. The financing was there. Everything was ready to go in early 2022.
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Then, tragedy struck. Ivan Reitman, the heart and soul of the project, passed away in February 2022.
According to Arnold, that was the end. He’s been pretty blunt about it lately, saying that Ivan's son, Jason Reitman (who directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife), decided to pull the plug. Arnold told The Hollywood Reporter that Jason "stopped the project" because he never liked the idea. It’s a bummer for fans who wanted to see the Benedict brothers one last time, but it seems that specific door is closed for good.
The Real Legacy: It Wasn't Just a Fluke
Critics weren't exactly kind to the movie when it came out. It currently sits at about a 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences didn't care. They loved seeing the vulnerability in Arnold. It's the movie that allowed him to do Kindergarten Cop and True Lies. Without Twins, Arnold might have stayed "The Terminator" forever.
He proved he could be a "regular" guy. Well, as regular as a 6-foot-2 bodybuilder can be.
How to watch it today
If you’re feeling nostalgic, Twins is frequently cycling through streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. It’s also one of those movies that’s always on cable on a Sunday afternoon.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the world of the Benedict brothers or just appreciate the Schwarzenegger-DeVito bromance, here is what you should do:
- Watch "Junior" (1994): It’s the unofficial spiritual successor. It brings the same trio (Arnold, Danny, and Ivan Reitman) back together for an even weirder premise.
- Follow Arnold’s Newsletter: He frequently shares "behind the scenes" memories of his time with Danny.
- Keep an Eye on Their New Project: While Triplets is dead, Arnold has confirmed he and Danny are developing a new movie together that isn't a sequel but will capture that same energy.
The magic of the 1988 film wasn't the special effects or some deep philosophical message. It was just two guys who looked nothing alike making us believe they were cut from the same cloth.
Check out the original film again. Look past the '80s khaki suits and the dated soundtrack. You’ll find a movie that has way more heart than it has any right to have. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most "genetically perfect" thing about a person is just how they treat their family.
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To stay updated on the upcoming collaboration between Arnold and Danny, you should sign up for industry trade alerts from Variety or The Hollywood Reporter, as they’ll be the first to break the news on their new project's production start date.