This article is about the catchphrase. For other uses, see I'll Be Back (disambiguation)

"I'll be back" is a catchphrase associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger, which he first used in his role as the title character from the 1984 science fiction film The Terminator. On June 21, 2005, it was chosen as #37 on the American Film Institute list, AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes.[1] Schwarzenegger uses the same line, or some variant of it, in many of his later films.

History [ edit ]

Schwarzenegger first used the line in The Terminator. In the scene, his character, the Terminator, a cyborg assassin, is refused entry to the police station where his target is housed. He surveys the counter, then tells the police sergeant: "I'll be back." Moments later, he drives a car into the station, destroying the counter, and massacres the staff.

In an October 1, 2012, interview on Good Morning America, Schwarzenegger revealed that he had had difficulty pronouncing the word I'll and asked director James Cameron if it could be changed to "I will be back". Cameron refused but told him that the shot would be taken more than once and the best would be used in the final cut of the film so Schwarzenegger could vary the line.[2]

Variations [ edit ]

Variations of the line have been used by Schwarzenegger in a number of other films in which he appears.[2]

The Terminator (1984) – "I'll be back". Said by the Terminator after being denied entry into a police station. The character returns by driving a car through the front door. Schwarzenegger has been quoted that he had not thought much about the line when filming the movie. Cameron notes in the DVD features that he expected the line to get a laugh only upon repeat viewings when what the character means is known, and he was surprised to see it get a big reaction from first-time audiences, who had quickly come to understand the character and immediately anticipated the outrageous violence the nonchalant line signifies. In the novelization of the film script, The Terminator by Shaun Hutson the Terminator says "I'll come back," rather than "I'll be back," on p. 117. ISBN 0-352-31645-4.

(1984) – "I'll be back". Said by the Terminator after being denied entry into a police station. The character returns by driving a car through the front door. Schwarzenegger has been quoted that he had not thought much about the line when filming the movie. Cameron notes in the DVD features that he expected the line to get a laugh only upon repeat viewings when what the character means is known, and he was surprised to see it get a big reaction from first-time audiences, who had quickly come to understand the character and immediately anticipated the outrageous violence the nonchalant line signifies. In the novelization of the film script, by Shaun Hutson the Terminator says "I'll come back," rather than "I'll be back," on p. 117. ISBN 0-352-31645-4. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) – "Stay here, I'll be back." (1:53:47) It is said by the Terminator to Sarah and John Connor during the escape from the Cyberdyne building. The character returns by driving a truck through the front door to rescue the human protagonists trapped inside, referencing the same scene in the first movie.

(1991) – "Stay here, I'll be back." (1:53:47) It is said by the Terminator to Sarah and John Connor during the escape from the Cyberdyne building. The character returns by driving a truck through the front door to rescue the human protagonists trapped inside, referencing the same scene in the first movie. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) – "She'll be back" is said by the Terminator in reference to the enemy T-X android. He says, "I'm back!" after he flies a helicopter into the antechamber of a military bunker and emerges from the wreckage. In the latter use, the phrase "I'm back" also refers to his return to loyalty and allegiance with the protagonists, after having been "corrupted" by the villainous T-X. Schwarzenegger also uses it in the DVD introduction.

(2003) – "She'll be back" is said by the Terminator in reference to the enemy T-X android. He says, "I'm back!" after he flies a helicopter into the antechamber of a military bunker and emerges from the wreckage. In the latter use, the phrase "I'm back" also refers to his return to loyalty and allegiance with the protagonists, after having been "corrupted" by the villainous T-X. Schwarzenegger also uses it in the DVD introduction. Terminator Salvation (2009) – "I'll be back" is said by John Connor after being asked by his wife Kate Brewster, "What should I tell your men when they find out you're gone?"

(2009) – "I'll be back" is said by John Connor after being asked by his wife Kate Brewster, "What should I tell your men when they find out you're gone?" Terminator Genisys (2015) – "I'll be back" is said by the Terminator right before jumping out of a helicopter onto a pursuing helicopter. Also "I'll go back," is said by Kyle Reese as he volunteers for teleporting back to 1984.

In other films [ edit ]

In addition to being the Terminator's catchphrase, Schwarzenegger has used it as his personal catchphrase in many of his other films.

Schwarzenegger has since used the phrase during public speeches as part of his career as the governor of the U.S. state of California.[3][4]

Prior Use In Other Movies [ edit ]

The same phrase was used in the 1982 National Lampoon's comedy "Class Reunion", and was also spoken with a thick eastern European accent. The vampire character Egon Von Stoker, played by Jim Staahl, attempts to pick up a woman at the bar in the main hall, and upon rejection, responds with "I'll be back" in a tone and accent similar to Schwarzenegger, although somewhat less aggressive.

Cloak and Dagger (1946 film) Gary Cooper as Professor Alvah Jesper - the very last scene in the Temporary Airfield.

See also [ edit ]