Here’s Why Arnold Schwarzenegger Was Too Large For The Role of ‘RoboCop’
Arnold Schwarzenegger was the undisputed king of 80s action flicks, with his imposing presence and iconic roles in films like ‘The Terminator’, ‘Commando’, ‘Predator’, and ‘The Running Man’. Given his larger-than-life physique and undeniable charisma, it seemed only natural that he would be considered for the lead role in one of the decade’s biggest action hits, 1987’s ‘RoboCop’.
After all, who better to portray a half-man, half-robot crime-fighting machine than Schwarzenegger himself? However, despite the initial excitement surrounding his potential involvement, there was a significant obstacle that stood in the way—quite literally.
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The concept of ‘RoboCop’ might evoke visions of a cheesy B-movie, but it was far from that. Anchored by a smart screenplay, the film delved into themes of societal decay and corruption, all wrapped up in a thrilling package of action and dark humour. With a talented director Paul Verhoeven at the helm, the project seemed poised for success. However, before production could move forward, the crucial task of bringing RoboCop to life fell to the practical effects team.
Initially, practical effects genius Chris Walas was brought in to design the iconic ‘RoboCop’ suit. However, his initial efforts fell short of expectations, leading to the involvement of another effects master, Rob Bottin. Working from concept art by Mile Teves, Bottin set about creating a suit that would embody the heroic, yet futuristic look Verhoeven envisioned. With the suit’s design finalized, the next challenge was finding the right actor to inhabit the role.
Schwarzenegger’s interest in the project was evident, but his imposing physique presented a logistical problem. The thick, bulky suit designed to accommodate his muscular frame ended up resembling the Michelin Man—an outcome far from the sleek, agile look the filmmakers were aiming for. Moreover, casting Schwarzenegger risked turning ‘RoboCop’ into a Terminator redux, robbing the character of the vulnerability and humanity that made him compelling.
After exploring various options, the filmmakers ultimately cast Peter Weller, whose lean physique and relative anonymity made him a perfect fit for the role. Weller’s portrayal of ‘RoboCop’ struck the right balance between man and machine, imbuing the character with a sense of humanity that resonated with audiences. Moreover, the redesigned suit, inspired by Japanese robots, added to the character’s mystique while allowing for greater mobility.
In the end, Schwarzenegger’s size may have ruled him out of contention for the role of ‘RoboCop’, but his legacy as an action movie icon remains intact. By casting Weller and refining the suit design, the filmmakers created a character that transcended the limitations of its premise, becoming a memorable symbol of 80s cinema.
And while it’s intriguing to imagine Schwarzenegger in the role, the casting of Weller ultimately proved to be the right choice—one that helped elevate RoboCop from mere action movie fare to a cultural touchstone.
– Farheen Ali
