The Abyss (1989): The Water Creature’s CGI Was Revolutionary

Before the T-1000 in Terminator 2 (1991) made liquid metal a full-blown cinematic nightmare, Cameron tested the concept of a digital, shape-shifting “creature” with The Abyss. It took months of effects work and became an early example of compositing digital animation into live-action in a way that, for 1989, looked like pure magic. Even people involved with the effects have noted the technology wasn’t yet at the level it reached for T2, but the point was the breakthrough.

True Lies (1994): Jamie Lee Curtis Really Did the Helicopter Shot

That iconic True Lies moment features Jamie Lee Curtis’ Helen clinging for dear life while dangling from a helicopter, and it wasn’t a stunt double (at least for one of the shots). Curtis later shared that it was actually her, wired up at base camp, then flown for about 20 minutes over water to reach the bridge location. And because Cameron rarely does “normal,” she also described the setup: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s double was on the skid, and Cameron himself was leaning out with the camera to capture the shot. That’s what one would call a “hands-on approach.”

True Lies (1994): Cameron Put Himself in the Line of Fire

According to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cameron could be extreme, but he also described a moment that’s either pure insanity or absolute bravery. There was an action setup that required a weapon to be fired in a tight area, and Cameron wanted proof it was safe. So, instead of debating, he reportedly stepped into position and had the weapons expert fire past his face a couple of times to demonstrate it. His insurance agency was this close to losing their best client.