How a risky comedy gamble became the most profitable film of Arnold Schwarzenegger's career

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When Universal Pictures hesitated to cast an action icon in a buddy comedy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, and director Ivan Reitman bet on themselves. They traded their standard salaries for a share of the profits, a high-stakes financial decision that ultimately paid off more than any other film he made.

Released in December 1988, Twins follows the story of Julius and Vincent Benedict, twins separated at birth following a clandestine genetic experiment. Julius, played by Schwarzenegger, is a physically imposing and optimistic intellectual raised in isolation, while Vincent, played by DeVito, is a cynical small-time crook from Los Angeles. The film explores their journey to find their mother, Mary Ann Benedict, while navigating a plot involving a stolen fuel injector and a ruthless courier.

The production was a departure for Schwarzenegger, who was then primarily known for action roles. To secure the project, the lead actors and director Reitman accepted no upfront pay, opting instead for a backend profit-sharing deal. This move was considered a significant financial risk by Universal Pictures, which preferred the safety of another action vehicle. However, the film proved to be a massive success, earning $112 million domestically and $216 million worldwide against a production budget of roughly $18 million.

Critical reception was divided, with some reviewers praising its warm humor while others criticized its reliance on the central premise's wackiness. Despite mixed professional reviews, audiences responded positively, and the film's financial performance validated the stars' unconventional compensation strategy. Schwarzenegger later described the decision to invest in himself as one of the best choices of his life, noting in 2025 that it remains his most lucrative project.

The film's success fostered a long-term collaboration between Reitman and his stars, leading to later projects like Kindergarten Cop and Junior. Plans for a sequel titled Triplets were discussed for years, with various iterations involving Eddie Murphy and later Tracy Morgan. However, following the death of Ivan Reitman in 2022, his son Jason Reitman ultimately ended development, confirming in 2023 that the sequel would not proceed.

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