From James Cameron's T-1000 in 'Terminator 2' to Oliver Stone's 'The Doors', why Billy Idol lost two iconic roles
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Punk rocker Billy Idol was spotted on Hollywood Boulevard with his daughter, son, and grandchildren on Monday, January 2, 2023. The 67-year-old singer-songwriter from the UK was scouting the area where he will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was earlier said that he will receive the star on Thursday, January 5 but the "ceremony has been moved to Friday, January 6 at 11.30 am due to rain!" Billy said on social media. He was dressed in a leather jacket and a black and white striped shirt. Willem and Bonnie Broad, 34 and 33, joined their father, with his daughter bringing her own gorgeous daughters Poppy and Mary Jane. The 'Cradle of Love' singer sported his renowned bleach-white hair in a spiky style as he adored his young grandchildren.
As reported by Daily Mail, Idol, whose real name is William Michael Albert Broad, seemed cheerful as he held up a plaque with his name that will soon bear the star insignia. The icon experienced difficulties in his film career even though he eventually became a tremendously famous pop phenomenon. As reported by several outlets, he lost two legendary roles, including Oliver Stone's 'The Doors' and T-1000 in 'Terminator 2'. He had been James Cameron's original choice to play the evil T-1000 in 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day', however, the accident forced a complete recasting of the part.
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The upcoming ceremony, which will honor the first star of 2023, will be emceed by Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The rock legend's star will be star number 2,743 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Billy will be honored in the Recording category, maintaining the tradition of entertainment recognition that was started in 1960.
Lost two iconic roles
In a terrible motorbike accident in 1990 when he was at the height of his career, Idol nearly lost his leg, and he endured months of excruciating recovery. James Cameron called him while he was still healing to inquire about an audition for the role of the morphing, police-impersonating T-1000 in 'Terminator 2'. Idol was delighted to see production sketches that already depicted the new Terminator resembling Billy Idol on the tour of Stan Winston's visual effects studios that Cameron provided to the singer, as reported by Rolling Stone.
Speaking to the 'Rolling Stone Music Now' podcast earlier, Billy said, "I even acted some of the part. I had to act that scene where he goes to the stepparents with the picture… But the trouble is that I had this terrible limp. And James Cameron said, 'The only problem is, I really need you to be able to run'… And I’m just about walking, you know? It was going to take me a while to really get 100 percent back to normal. And [even] with the CGI thing, there was no way they could really fake it right then, really."
However, Billy believes that Robert Patrick eventually landing the role may have been beneficial for the movie."Could I have brought that cold veneer? He brought this incredible cold veneer," claimed the singer. A potentially successful acting career was probably wrecked by the tragedy. Idol was also slated to play the role of Tom Baker, a close friend of Jim Morrison, in Oliver Stone's 'The Doors', but after sustaining injuries, he had to settle for a considerably smaller part. "I was there for a lot of the movie," stated Idol, adding, "It was exciting watching Val [Kilmer] and everybody bring it to life. It was a shame I blew it by having a stupid accident."