Arnold Schwarzenegger names the surprising movie that’s given him the biggest pay packet of his career

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By Kim Novak

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Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed which of his movies has made him the most money - and the answer might surprise you.

GettyImages-2220611642.jpgArnold Schwarzenegger is one of Hollywood's best-known stars. Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for SiriusXM

The 77-year-old star has appeared in many hit blockbuster movies, including Terminator and Predator, so you'd imagine one of those would be his highest-earner, right?

Well, you'd be wrong - the movie he actually made the most from is Twins, the 1980s comedy in which he starred alongside Danny DeVito as a pair of unlikely fraternal twin brothers who were separated at birth.

Arnie revealed that he made over $40 million from that particular project, thanks to a lucrative deal he and Danny, 80, signed.

The pair were not paid a salary for the film, instead they got "a piece of the backend" - aka a cut of the profits the movie ended up making - and it turns out that worked out massively in their favor.

Arnold explained on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen: "It was fantastic. We went all the way to the bank with that one."


When the host asked if he'd made over $20 million, Arnold scoffed and jokingly replied: "Oh, much more, come on! What’s the matter with you?”

He admitted it was over $40 million, and while he did not specify the exact amount he confirmed: "It was more than any movie I've ever made, let's just put it this way."

He also revealed that a sequel called Triplets had been planned, with Eddie Murphy taking on the role of the third brother, but it was shelved when director Ivan Reitman died just before shooting was due to begin.

GettyImages-120808536.jpgArnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito made a fortune from 'Twins'. Credit: Jesse Grant/WireImage/Getty Images

The 1988 film grossed over $200 million worldwide according to Box Office Mojo, and it was Arnold's first foray into the world of comedy after having made a name for himself as an actor in action films.

He went on to star in many other comedies including Kindergarten Cop, Junior, and True Lies among others.

Arnold previously blamed the cancelation of the Triplets movie on Jason Reitman, the original director's son, telling The Hollywood Reporter: "Jason Reitman f***ed it up! Jason Reitman literally stopped the project when his father died.

"His father wanted to do it really badly. I wanted to do it really badly. Danny DeVito wanted to do it really badly. We had the financing.

"When his father passed away, Jason says, 'I never liked the idea' and put a hold on it."

However, it hopefully doesn't mean we won't get to see Arnold and Danny starring alongside each other again, as he confirmed at the time: "I’m developing another movie with Danny; he’s so much fun to work with and so talented."

Featured image credit:  Heinz-Peter Bader / Getty Images