Arnold Schwarzenegger director looks back on pressure to deliver $242M blockbuster

Arnold Schwarzenegger already had mega-hits such as Terminator and True Lies.

So, when the actor offered director Chuck Russell the script for Eraser, it was a tough challenge for him.

Now, on the film’s 30th anniversary, the filmmaker looked back at directing one of the hit movies of Schwarzenegger’s career.

"I was like, 'Okay, this is an opportunity and a challenge at the same time to take Arnold's brand a little bit further,” he told People.

Russell recalled the pressure from the studio to make a hit film with the superstar.

“The studio wanted one more big international hit with Arnold Schwarzenegger.”

“And I was given a number to hit, and we did hit that number in the box office, but my goal is to always entertain the audience.”

So, to make a hit action film, Russell, instead of depending fully on explosive action, packed the movie with a surprising cast.

In the case of someone like Arnold, to support the brand and even take him further, my intention on that film was to surround him with a cast you didn't normally see in an action film," he tells PEOPLE.

Though pulling it off was not a piece of cake, Russell said, "We all know Arnold's a competitive champion.”

“And that's the way we both looked at the film. For me, it was a challenge that came after True Lies and the Terminators. But the point was to make his best film to date."

Eraser was out in 1996 and became a stunning success, raking in $242 million globally.