Who was the initial casting choice to play the role of the Terminator?

Before Arnold Schwarzenegger landed the iconic role, O.J. Simpson was originally cast to play the Terminator. Simpson was reportedly so involved in the film's early development that director James Cameron even created concept sketches of the Terminator modeled on his appearance. Ultimately, Cameron decided Simpson was simply "too nice" to be believable as a ruthless killing machine. Years later, Cameron would acknowledge the irony of that decision. Arnold Schwarzenegger ultimately won the role, transforming the Terminator into one of cinema's most iconic action characters.