An Arnold Schwarzenegger Action Epic Is Being Restored And We Can’t Wait

By Charlene Badasie | Published

arnold schwarzenegger true lies

The 1994 action comedy True Lies is finally getting a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release alongside other James Cameron films, Aliens and The Abyss. According to Gizmodo, the collector’s editions will be available from March 12, 2024.

The 4K digital downloads of all three movies will be released first, on December 12, along with Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water.

True Lies 4K Release

Arnold Schwarzenegger True Lies

Jon Landau, Cameron’s long-time producer, expressed the team’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled home viewing experience.

“We really wanted to deliver the best possible experience at home so viewers could immerse themselves both in the films (like True Lies) and the journeys we went through to make them,” Landau said.

Beyond the visual upgrade, the True Lies 4K release will include exclusive behind-the-scenes content, giving fans a closer look into the creative process and legacy of the film.

The movie, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Art Malik, and Tia Carrere, also comes with a brand-new documentary titled Fear Is Not an Option.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Is A Secret Agent

True Lies tells the story of Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who leads a double life. Harry is a seemingly dull computer salesman to his family, but his real job as a top-secret government operative involves battling international terrorists.

His wife, Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), is unaware of his true profession, believing Harry’s covert activities to be nothing more than business trips.

True Lies Is Action-Packed And Hilarious

true lies plane arnold

As Harry skillfully balances domestic life with his high-stakes espionage missions, things take an unexpected turn when Helen becomes entangled in a terrorist plot orchestrated by a group led by the mysterious Juno Skinner (Tia Carrere). 

True Lies evolves into a whirlwind of action, humor, and romance as Harry races against time to save his marriage and the world from imminent danger.

Box Office And Critical Success

arnold schwarzenegger, true lies

True Lies received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences. The film’s blend of action and comedy, coupled with James Cameron’s signature directing style, contributed to its success.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s charismatic performance as the unconventional spy and Jamie Lee Curtis’s comedic timing added to the film’s appeal.

True Lies was a major box office success, grossing over $378 million worldwide against a budget of around $120 million.

Interestingly, the movie is a remake of the 1991 French film La Totale!, directed by Claude Zidi. The film showcased a different side of Schwarzenegger, known for his action roles, as he seamlessly navigated between action and comedy. 

True Lies Sequel

In late 1997, Cameron set his sights on creating a sequel to True Lies, with production planned for early 1998. Both Schwarzenegger and Tom Arnold were expected to reprise their roles. Cameron began searching for a writer to pen the script, eventually leading to negotiations with Jeff Eastin in August 1999.

By March 2001, the script for the True Lies sequel was finalized, and Jamie Lee Curtis was confirmed to return alongside Schwarzenegger and Arnold.

Sequel Cancelled But True Lies Series

true lies

However, in the wake of the September 11 attacks, Cameron decided against moving forward with the film since it contained themes of terrorism, which no longer felt like comedic material.

In March 2023, a True Lies series was released on CBS. Created by Matt Nix, the show was based on the 1994 James Cameron film. However, the series was cancelled after one season due to low ratings.