In the late 1980s, the idea of Arnold Schwarzenegger—the man who had just finished methodically murdering half of Los Angeles in The Terminator—starring in a goofy comedy was, quite frankly, a hard sell. Universal Pictures wasn't exactly biting. But then, Ivan Reitman had a thought. What if the world’s most physically imposing human being had a long-lost twin brother who looked exactly like Danny DeVito?
It was a ridiculous pitch. It was high-concept nonsense. Honestly, it was brilliant.
The resulting film Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito made together, 1988's Twins, didn't just change Arnold’s career; it fundamentally altered how we viewed the action star. It proved that the "Austrian Oak" could actually be funny, self-deprecating, and human. And let's be real: without the diminutive, fast-talking DeVito to play off of, that transition might have fallen flat on its face.
The Secret Deal That Made Twins a Reality
Most people don't realize how much of a gamble Twins actually was. The studio was terrified. They liked Arnold as a killer, not as a naive "perfect human" looking for his mother. To get the movie made, Arnold, Danny, and director Ivan Reitman did something practically unheard of in Hollywood. They agreed to take zero salary upfront.
Seriously. Zero.
Instead, they negotiated for 40% of the film’s "backend" (the profits). Because they bet on themselves, and the movie became a massive smash hit grossing over $216 million, Arnold ended up making more money from Twins than he did from any of the Terminator movies. It remains one of the smartest business moves in the history of show business.
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Why the Dynamic Just Works
There is a specific kind of alchemy when these two share the screen. It’s not just the height difference, though the visual of a 6'2" bodybuilder standing next to a 4'10" ball of energy is objectively funny. It's the personality inversion.
In Twins, Arnold plays Julius Benedict, a man raised on a remote island who is physically perfect and incredibly intelligent but knows absolutely nothing about the "real world." He's a giant toddler in a suit. DeVito plays Vincent, a street-smart, sleazy, small-time crook who is essentially "the leftover crap" from the genetic experiment that created Julius.
The comedy doesn't just come from the physical contrast. It comes from the fact that the small guy is the bully and the big guy is the sweetheart.
That One Time They Tried to Kill Batman
The duo’s connection isn't just limited to their own shared films. One of the best moments in recent pop culture history happened at the 2024 Oscars. Arnold and Danny walked onto the stage to a standing ovation, and their "bit" was perfect. They pointed out Michael Keaton in the audience and reminded everyone that they both, in their own respective movies, tried to kill Batman.
DeVito, of course, played the Penguin in Batman Returns. Arnold was Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin.
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Watching them tag-team a fake grudge against Keaton while the audience roared was a reminder of why we love them. They have this effortless, grumpy-old-men-who-actually-love-each-other vibe that you just can't manufacture.
The Weird Experiment of Junior (1994)
After the success of Twins, the trio (Arnold, Danny, and Ivan) tried to capture lightning in a bottle again with Junior. This is the one where Arnold Schwarzenegger gets pregnant. Yeah.
Looking back, Junior is a strange artifact of 90s cinema. It’s significantly weirder than Twins. Arnold plays a scientist who tests a fertility drug on himself, and Danny plays his panicked colleague. While it wasn't the monster hit that Twins was, it solidified their brand. They weren't just "co-stars"; they were a comedic unit.
There’s a legendary story from the set of Junior where Danny DeVito allegedly tricked Arnold into smoking a cigar spiked with marijuana. Arnold later admitted on Jimmy Kimmel Live that he completely forgot his lines and was staring at the floor while Ivan Reitman screamed at him to get it together. Apparently, Danny was just sitting in the corner laughing his head off. That’s the kind of relationship they have.
Whatever Happened to the Triplets Sequel?
For years, the internet was ablaze with rumors of a sequel called Triplets. The premise was that they find a third brother, and for a long time, Eddie Murphy was attached to the role. Later, Tracy Morgan was set to step in.
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The project was actually moving forward. They had a script. They had the funding. But everything ground to a halt when Ivan Reitman passed away in 2022.
Arnold has been pretty vocal about this—he basically said that Ivan’s son, Jason Reitman, didn't want to pursue the idea and "f***ed it up." It's a bit of a sad ending for that specific project, but it hasn't stopped the duo from looking for something else.
What’s Next for the Duo?
The good news? They aren't done. Danny DeVito recently confirmed that he and Arnold are working on a "secret project" together. It won't be a Twins sequel, but rather an entirely new story.
They’ve also been appearing in those State Farm commercials together, playing up the "neighba" vs. "neighbor" pronunciation gag. It’s clear they still have the itch to work together.
How to Revisit the Magic
If you're looking to dive back into the film Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito filmography, here’s how to do it right:
- Start with Twins (1988): It's the blueprint. The "Yakety Yak" singing scene is still a masterpiece of cringe-comedy.
- Watch the 2024 Oscar Clip: It’s on YouTube. Watch Michael Keaton’s face when they call him out. It’s the best thing you’ll see all day.
- Check out Junior (1994): Only if you’re prepared for the sight of a very hormonal Arnold Schwarzenegger craving pickles.
- Keep an eye on 2025/2026 production news: Their new untitled project is reportedly in the script phase at Warner Bros.
The takeaway here is simple: Hollywood loves a gimmick, but it stays for the chemistry. Arnold and Danny shouldn't work on paper, but in reality, they are one of the most enduring "odd couples" in cinema history. They represent a time when movies could be deeply silly and unashamedly sentimental at the same time.
Keep your ears open for that Warner Bros. announcement, because when these two finally reunite on the big screen, it’s going to be a massive moment for anyone who grew up watching the world's most unlikely brothers.