James Cameron said he was high on ecstasy while writing 'Terminator 2'
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Jacob Sarkisian
Jul 1, 2021, 19:31 IST
James Cameron directed "Terminator 2: Judgement Day."
Albert L. Ortega/WireImage
"Terminator 2: Judgement Day" is known as one of the best sequels ever made.
Director James Cameron said he was inspired to create John Connor by being high on ecstasy.
He was also influenced by the Sting song "Russians."
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Oscar-winning director James Cameron admitted he was high on ecstasy while writing the script for "Terminator 2: Judgement Day," which helped to define the sequel's story.
In an interview with The Ringer celebrating that movie's 30th anniversary, the director said it was his high and a certain song that truly helped him figure out the direction the movie should take.
"I remember sitting there once, high on E, writing notes for 'Terminator,' and I was struck by Sting's song, that 'I hope the Russians love their children too,'" Cameron said, referencing the 1985 song, "Russians." "And I thought, 'You know what? The idea of a nuclear war is just so antithetical to life itself.' That's where the kid came from."
The kid was Edward Furlong's character, John Connor. In the story, Arnold Schwarzenegger's cyborg is sent to protect 10-year-old Connor from a more advanced terminator, the T-1000.
The movie was a critical and commercial success and won four Oscars, including for best visual effects.
Cameron is not the only director who has dabbled with drugs during their creative processes. Martin Scorsese once experienced a bad batch of cocaine that led him bleeding internally, according to Uproxx, while the same publication reported that Oliver Stone would frequently use drugs while filming.
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