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| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Ivan Reitman]]
| director = [[Ivan Reitman]]
| producer = Ivan Reitman
| producer = [[Ivan Reitman]]
| writer = {{Plainlist|
| writer = {{Plainlist|
* [[William Davies (screenwriter)|William Davies]]
* [[William Davies (screenwriter)|William Davies]]
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* [[Chloe Webb]]
* [[Chloe Webb]]
* [[Bonnie Bartlett]]
* [[Bonnie Bartlett]]
* [[Tony Jay]]
}}
}}
| music = {{Plainlist|
| music = {{Plainlist|
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| gross = $216.6 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web|title=Twins|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=twins.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 17, 2019}}</ref>
| gross = $216.6 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web|title=Twins|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=twins.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 17, 2019}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Twins''''' (rendered in its [[title sequence]] logo as '''''TWiiNS''''') is a 1988 American [[buddy film|buddy]] [[comedy film]] produced and directed by [[Ivan Reitman]]. The film is about unlikely [[fraternal twin]] brothers ([[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] and [[Danny DeVito]]) who were separated at birth. The core of the film is the contrast between the [[Know-how|streetwise]] Vincent (DeVito) and the intelligent but naive Julius (Schwarzenegger).
'''''Twins''''' (rendered in its [[title sequence]] logo as '''''TWiiNS''''') is a 1988 American [[buddy film|buddy]] [[comedy film]] directed and produced by [[Ivan Reitman]]. The film is about unlikely [[fraternal twin]] brothers ([[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] and [[Danny DeVito]]) who were separated at birth. The core of the film is the contrast between the [[Know-how|streetwise]] Vincent (DeVito) and the intelligent but naive Julius (Schwarzenegger).


The film was a commercial success, grossing $216 million worldwide.<ref name="BOM"/> Instead of taking their usual salaries for the film, Schwarzenegger, DeVito and Reitman agreed with the studio to take 40% of the film's box office returns; this resulted in them receiving the biggest paychecks of their film careers.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://nerdist.nerdistind.libsynpro.com/arnold-schwarzenegger |title= Schwarzenegger Interview – Interview/Podcast (starting at 42 min)|publisher=nerdist.com |access-date=2014-03-31}}</ref>
The film was a commercial success, grossing $216 million worldwide.<ref name="BOM"/> Instead of taking their usual salaries for the film, Schwarzenegger, DeVito and Reitman agreed with the studio to take collectively 40% of the film's box office and rental returns; this resulted in them receiving the biggest paychecks of their film careers.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://nerdist.nerdistind.libsynpro.com/arnold-schwarzenegger |title= Schwarzenegger Interview – Interview/Podcast (starting at 42 min)|publisher=nerdist.com |access-date=2014-03-31}}</ref>


==Plot ==
==Plot ==
⚫
In 1953, Julius and Vincent Benedict are twin brothers, the result of a secret experiment carried out at a genetics laboratory at [[Los Alamos, New Mexico]] to combine the [[DNA]] of six fathers to produce the perfect child. To the surprise of the scientists, two fraternal embryos formed and the non-identical [[twins]] were born.
'''1953'''


⚫
Vincent was placed in an orphanage run by nuns in [[Los Angeles]] and believed his mother abandoned him. With no one but himself to rely on, Vincent seduced a nun, escaped from the [[orphanage]], and later became an indebted, small time criminal. Julius was raised on a [[Oceania|South Pacific]] island by Professor Werner, one of the scientists from the experiment, who put him through intense physical training and extensive study. Both believed Mary Ann died during childbirth.
⚫
Julius and Vincent Benedict are twin brothers, the result of a secret experiment carried out at a genetics laboratory to combine the [[DNA]] of six fathers to produce the perfect child. To the surprise of the scientists, the embryo split and the twins were born. The mother, Mary Ann Benedict, was told that Julius died at birth, and not told about Vincent at all.


⚫
In 1988, each twin is unaware of the other's existence. On Julius' 35th birthday, Werner finally tells Julius about Vincent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/t/twins-script-transcript-schwarzenegger.html |title=Twins Script – Dialogue Transcript |publisher=Script-o-rama.com |access-date=2013-05-20}}</ref> With Werner's blessing, Julius proceeds to Los Angeles to find his brother. Julius eventually tracks Vincent down in jail, where he is being held for unpaid parking tickets and driving with an expired license.
⚫
Vincent was placed in an orphanage run by nuns in [[Los Angeles]] and believed his mother abandoned him. With no one but himself to rely on, Vincent seduced a nun, escaped from the [[orphanage]], and later became an indebted, small time criminal. Julius was raised on a [[Oceania|South Pacific]] island by Professor Werner, one of the scientists from the experiment, who put him through intense physical training and extensive study. Both believed Mary Ann died during childbirth.

'''1988'''

⚫
Each twin was unaware of the other's existence. On Julius' 35th birthday, Werner finally tells Julius about Vincent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/t/twins-script-transcript-schwarzenegger.html |title=Twins Script – Dialogue Transcript |publisher=Script-o-rama.com |access-date=2013-05-20}}</ref> With Werner's blessing, Julius proceeds to Los Angeles to find his brother. Julius eventually tracks Vincent down in jail, where he is being held for unpaid parking tickets and driving with an expired license.


Julius bails Vincent out, but Vincent does not believe his story and abandons him in a parking lot. Julius pursues Vincent to his workplace and finds him being beaten up by Morris Klane, one of three [[loan shark]] brothers that Vincent owes $20,000. Julius subdues Morris, earning Vincent's trust and respect. He later meets Vincent's girlfriend Linda Mason and enters a romantic relationship with her sister Marnie.
Julius bails Vincent out, but Vincent does not believe his story and abandons him in a parking lot. Julius pursues Vincent to his workplace and finds him being beaten up by Morris Klane, one of three [[loan shark]] brothers that Vincent owes $20,000. Julius subdues Morris, earning Vincent's trust and respect. He later meets Vincent's girlfriend Linda Mason and enters a romantic relationship with her sister Marnie.
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Vincent steals a late model [[Cadillac]] from a parking garage run by his buddy (to sell to a chop shop) and finds a [[prototype]] [[fuel injector]] in the trunk that was to be delivered to [[industrialist]] Beetroot McKinley in [[Houston]], in return for $5 million. Vincent decides to pose as the delivery man, Mr. Webster, and deliver the fuel injector himself so he can collect the money and pay off his debts. He reluctantly allows Julius, Linda and Marnie to accompany him to New Mexico to find Traven, while Webster begins pursuing Vincent. In the process, he encounters the Klane brothers and shoots them in the legs as a warning to keep away from Vincent.
Vincent steals a late model [[Cadillac]] from a parking garage run by his buddy (to sell to a chop shop) and finds a [[prototype]] [[fuel injector]] in the trunk that was to be delivered to [[industrialist]] Beetroot McKinley in [[Houston]], in return for $5 million. Vincent decides to pose as the delivery man, Mr. Webster, and deliver the fuel injector himself so he can collect the money and pay off his debts. He reluctantly allows Julius, Linda and Marnie to accompany him to New Mexico to find Traven, while Webster begins pursuing Vincent. In the process, he encounters the Klane brothers and shoots them in the legs as a warning to keep away from Vincent.


In New Mexico, Traven reveals the truth to the twins, pointing out that Julius resulted from the best [[gene]]s, and spitefully denouncing Vincent as having come from the "useless" genetic material, leaving Vincent distraught. After Julius threatens him, Traven directs them to [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]], where their mother lives in an [[art colony]]. Julius convinces Vincent to regain his spirits and they continue their journey.
In New Mexico, Traven reveals the truth to the twins, pointing out that Julius resulted from the best [[gene]]s, and spitefully denouncing Vincent as having come from the "leftover crap", leaving Vincent distraught. After Julius threatens him, Traven directs them to [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]], where their mother lives in an [[art colony]]. Julius convinces Vincent to regain his spirits and they continue their journey.


On the way to Santa Fe, the twins are accosted by the Klane brothers, but they fight them off for the last time. At the art colony in Santa Fe, a gardener informs Julius and Vincent that their mother has died. They leave, unaware that the gardener was in fact Mary Ann, who did not believe their story, having been told she only had one son who died at birth.
On the way to Santa Fe, the twins are accosted by the Klane brothers, but they fight them off for the last time. At the art colony in Santa Fe, a gardener informs Julius and Vincent that their mother has died. They leave, unaware that the gardener was in fact Mary Ann herself, who did not believe their story, having been told she only had one son who died at birth.


Abandoning Julius and the girls in New Mexico, Vincent heads to Houston alone to deliver the prototype to Beetroot. Julius chases after Vincent, sensing his whereabouts thanks to [[twin telepathy]], and finds him seconds after the exchange with Beetroot. Webster appears and kills Beetroot and his bodyguard, demanding the money from Vincent. Julius intercepts Webster, allowing Vincent to escape, but Vincent returns and agrees to give Webster the money to save Julius. Webster decides to kill them anyway for seeing his face, but Vincent, at Julius' subtle prompting, kills him by dropping a heavy chain onto him and burying him.
Abandoning Julius and the girls in New Mexico, Vincent heads to Houston alone to deliver the prototype to Beetroot. Julius chases after Vincent, sensing his whereabouts thanks to [[twin telepathy]], and finds him seconds after the exchange with Beetroot. Webster appears and kills Beetroot and his bodyguard, demanding the money from Vincent. Julius intercepts Webster, allowing Vincent to escape, but Vincent returns and agrees to give Webster the money to save Julius. Webster decides to kill them anyway for seeing his face, but Vincent, at Julius' subtle prompting, kills him by dropping a heavy chain onto him and burying him.
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Julius and Vincent return both the prototype and $4 million (with Vincent skimming $1 million) and use a $50,000 reward to pay off Vincent's debts and start a [[consulting firm]]. Their publicity reaches the art colony, and Mary Ann learns that her sons are alive. She violently confronts Traven for concealing the truth and then tracks Julius and Vincent down to their workplace, where they share a warm reunion.
Julius and Vincent return both the prototype and $4 million (with Vincent skimming $1 million) and use a $50,000 reward to pay off Vincent's debts and start a [[consulting firm]]. Their publicity reaches the art colony, and Mary Ann learns that her sons are alive. She violently confronts Traven for concealing the truth and then tracks Julius and Vincent down to their workplace, where they share a warm reunion.


Sometime later, Julius and Vincent marry Marnie and Linda. Both marriages produce twin children, and the couples are last seen meeting their mother and Professor Werner on an outing.
Sometime later, Julius and Vincent marry Marnie and Linda. Each marriage produces a set of twins: Jude and Mare, and Vinnie and Linnie, and the couples are last seen meeting their mother and Professor Werner on an outing.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{castlist|
{{Cast listing|
* [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] as Julius Benedict, Vincent's older fraternal twin brother.
* [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] as Julius Benedict, Vincent's older fraternal twin brother.
* [[Danny DeVito]] as Vincent Benedict, Julius' younger fraternal twin brother.
* [[Danny DeVito]] as Vincent Benedict, Julius' younger fraternal twin brother.
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* [[Bonnie Bartlett]] as Mary Ann Benedict, the twins' biological mother.
* [[Bonnie Bartlett]] as Mary Ann Benedict, the twins' biological mother.
** [[Heather Graham]] as young Mary Ann (''uncredited'')
** [[Heather Graham]] as young Mary Ann (''uncredited'')
⚫
* [[David Caruso]] as Al Greco, a friend of Vincent's.
* [[Trey Wilson]] as Beetroot McKinley
* [[Trey Wilson]] as Beetroot McKinley
* [[Marshall Bell]] as Mr. Webster
* [[Marshall Bell]] as Mr. Webster
⚫
* [[David Caruso]] as Al Greco, a friend of Vincent's.
⚫
* [[Tony Jay]] as Professor Werner, one of the scientists from the experiment that created Julius and Vincent who raised Julius.
* [[Hugh O'Brian]] as Granger, one of the twins' six fathers.
* [[Hugh O'Brian]] as Granger, one of the twins' six fathers.
* [[Nehemiah Persoff]] as Dr. Mitchell Traven, one of the scientists from the experiment that created Julius and Vincent.
* [[Nehemiah Persoff]] as Dr. Mitchell Traven, one of the scientists from the experiment that created Julius and Vincent.
* [[Maury Chaykin]] as Burt Klane, Bob and Morris' brother.
* [[Maury Chaykin]] as Burt Klane, Bob and Morris' brother.
⚫
* [[Tony Jay]] as Professor Werner, one of the scientists from the experiment that created Julius and Vincent who raised Julius.
* [[Tom McCleister]] as Bob Klane, Burt and Morris' brother.
* [[Tom McCleister]] as Bob Klane, Burt and Morris' brother.
* David Efron as Morris Klane, Burt and Bob's brother.
* David Efron as Morris Klane, Burt and Bob's brother.
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==Production==
==Production==
The original music score was composed by [[Georges Delerue]] and [[Randy Edelman]]. Edelman has scored three more films for the director (''[[Ghostbusters II]]''; ''[[Kindergarten Cop]]''; and ''[[Six Days, Seven Nights]]'') whereas this was Delerue's only work for him.
The original music score was composed by [[Georges Delerue]] and [[Randy Edelman]]. Edelman has scored three more films for director Ivan Reitman (''[[Ghostbusters II]]''; ''[[Kindergarten Cop]]''; and ''[[Six Days, Seven Nights]]'') whereas this was Delerue's only work for him.


Notably, this was Arnold Schwarzenegger's first time starring in a major comedy. Because the studio viewed this as a significant risk compared with having Schwarzenegger make another profitable action film, Schwarzenegger voluntarily took no salary in exchange for a share of the film's profits. Co-star Danny DeVito and director Ivan Reitman made similar deals. When the film was a major financial success – box office of $216M against an $18M production budget – the three together earned a significant share of the overall profits. In a 2016 interview with Graham Bensinger in which Schwarzenegger recounted this story, Schwarzenegger stated that the decision to "invest in myself" by trying comedy and forgoing the salary in exchange for a share of the film's profits was one of the best decisions of his entire life.<ref>In Depth – Graham Bensinger. Interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger. September 14, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHL_UXfWT44</ref>
Notably, this was Arnold Schwarzenegger's first time starring in a major comedy. Because Universal Pictures viewed this as a significant risk compared with having Schwarzenegger make another profitable action film, Schwarzenegger voluntarily took no salary in exchange for a share of the film's profits. Co-star Danny DeVito and director Reitman made similar deals. When the film was a major financial success – box office of $216 million against an $18 million production budget – the three together earned a significant share of the overall profits. In a 2016 interview with [[Graham Bensinger]], Schwarzenegger stated that the decision to "invest in myself" by trying comedy and forgoing the salary in exchange for a share of the film's profits was one of the best decisions of his entire life.<ref>In Depth – Graham Bensinger. Interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger. September 14, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHL_UXfWT44</ref>


===Filming===
===Filming===
Many of the outdoor scenes were filmed in northern [[New Mexico]]. Locations and backgrounds included the [[Rio Grande Gorge Bridge]] near [[Taos, New Mexico|Taos]], the [[San Francisco de Asis Mission Church]] in [[Ranchos de Taos]], [[Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (Santa Fe)|St. Francis Cathedral]] in [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]] and buildings in [[Los Alamos, New Mexico|Los Alamos]].
The bridge that Vincent drives across is the [[Rio Grande Gorge Bridge]] near [[Taos, New Mexico]].


==Music==
==Music==
===Soundtrack===
===Soundtrack===
A [[Twins (Philip Bailey and Little Richard song)|self-titled song]] performed by [[Philip Bailey]] and [[Little Richard]] rose to no. 82 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] chart in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4165/little-richard/|title=Little Richard &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=www.officialcharts.com}}</ref>
The film's [[Twins (Philip Bailey and Little Richard song)|title theme song]], performed by [[Philip Bailey]] and [[Little Richard]], reached No. 82 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] chart in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/4165/little-richard/|title=Little Richard &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=www.officialcharts.com}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
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===Critical response===
===Critical response===
''Twins'' received mixed reviews from critics upon release.
''Twins'' received mixed reviews from critics upon release.
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], it has a {{RT data|score}} approval rating based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average score of {{RT data|average}}. The consensus states: "Though it offers a few modest pleasures for undemanding viewers, ''Twins'' leans too heavily on the wackiness of its premise to overcome its narrative shortcomings."<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1022191-twins/ |title=Twins |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=2022-08-13 }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]] the film has a score of 53 out of 100 based on reviews from 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title=Twins |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/twins |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2021-01-01}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= TWINS (1988) A- |work= [[CinemaScore]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073531/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= February 6, 2018 }}</ref>
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], it has a 42% approval rating based on 43 reviews, with an average score of {{RT data|average}}. The consensus states: "Though it offers a few modest pleasures for undemanding viewers, ''Twins'' leans too heavily on the wackiness of its premise to overcome its narrative shortcomings."<ref name="tomatoes">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1022191-twins/ |title=Twins |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=2022-08-13 }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]] the film has a score of 53 out of 100 based on reviews from 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web |title=Twins |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/twins |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2021-01-01}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= TWINS (1988) A- |work= [[CinemaScore]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073531/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= February 6, 2018 }}</ref>


[[Roger Ebert]] gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, calling it "engaging entertainment with some big laughs and a sort of warm goofiness."<ref>{{cite news |title=Twins Movie Review |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=December 9, 1988 |publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/twins-1988 |access-date=March 17, 2019 }}</ref>
[[Roger Ebert]] gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, calling it "engaging entertainment with some big laughs and a sort of warm goofiness".<ref>{{cite news |title=Twins Movie Review |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=December 9, 1988 |publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/twins-1988 |access-date=March 17, 2019 }}</ref>


[[Vincent Canby]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film a negative review: "In ''Twins'', which is supposed to be funny, the former Mr. Universe and pint-sized Danny DeVito play twins, the result of a genetic experiment that went awry. To the extent that ''Twins'' is carried by anybody, it is carried by Mr. DeVito. Mr. Schwarzenegger is dead weight."<ref name="Canby">{{cite news |date=9 December 1988 |last=Canby |first=Vincent |author-link=Vincent Canby |title=Review/Film; Long-Lost Twin Brothers: Beauty and the Beast (Published 1988) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/09/movies/review-film-long-lost-twin-brothers-beauty-and-the-beast.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=C18 }}</ref>
[[Vincent Canby]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the film a negative review: "In ''Twins'', which is supposed to be funny, the former Mr. Universe and pint-sized Danny DeVito play twins, the result of a genetic experiment that went awry. To the extent that ''Twins'' is carried by anybody, it is carried by Mr. DeVito. Mr. Schwarzenegger is dead weight."<ref name="Canby">{{cite news |date=9 December 1988 |last=Canby |first=Vincent |author-link=Vincent Canby |title=Review/Film; Long-Lost Twin Brothers: Beauty and the Beast (Published 1988) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/12/09/movies/review-film-long-lost-twin-brothers-beauty-and-the-beast.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=C18 }}</ref>


==Possible sequel==
==Cancelled sequel==
In March 2012, Universal announced the development of a sequel titled ''Triplets'' with Schwarzenegger and DeVito due to return with [[Eddie Murphy]] as their long lost triplet brother. Reitman was set to co produce.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=March 29, 2012 |title='Twins' Sequel 'Triplets' in the Works for Arnold, DeVito...and Eddie Murphy (Exclusive) |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/twins-triplets-arnold-schwarzenegger-danny-devito-eddie-murphy-306026 |access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |title=RedCarpetNewsTV:Arnold Schwarzenegger Confirms Terminator 5, Conan and Twins Sequels |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR_3wyjgIUo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/cR_3wyjgIUo| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2013-01-22}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In March 2012, Universal announced the development of a sequel titled ''Triplets'' with Schwarzenegger and DeVito due to return with [[Eddie Murphy]] as their long lost triplet brother. Reitman was set to co produce.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=March 29, 2012 |title='Twins' Sequel 'Triplets' in the Works for Arnold, DeVito...and Eddie Murphy (Exclusive) |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/twins-triplets-arnold-schwarzenegger-danny-devito-eddie-murphy-306026 |access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |title=RedCarpetNewsTV:Arnold Schwarzenegger Confirms Terminator 5, Conan and Twins Sequels |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR_3wyjgIUo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/cR_3wyjgIUo| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=2013-01-22}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


In April 2015, it was announced that plans for the film were put on hold. In March 2018, Schwarzenegger confirmed that the script for ''Triplets'' was finished and that Murphy was officially attached to the film. Schwarzenegger briefly discussed how Murphy's character became the triplet brother of his and DeVito's characters saying "funny thing that happens in the mixing of the sperm". It was unknown if Reitman would still be involved in the film, as originally announced in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=March 11, 2018 |title=Triplets: Arnold Schwarzenegger Confirms Eddie Murphy, Script is Finished |work=[[Screen Rant]] |url=https://screenrant.com/triplets-script-finished-eddie-murphy/ |access-date=June 20, 2019}}</ref>
In April 2015, it was announced that plans for the film were put on hold. In March 2018, Schwarzenegger confirmed that the script for ''Triplets'' was finished and that Murphy was officially attached to the film. Schwarzenegger briefly discussed how Murphy's character became the triplet brother of his and DeVito's characters saying "funny thing that happens in the mixing of the sperm". It was unknown if Reitman would still be involved in the film, as originally announced in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=March 11, 2018 |title=Triplets: Arnold Schwarzenegger Confirms Eddie Murphy, Script is Finished |work=[[Screen Rant]] |url=https://screenrant.com/triplets-script-finished-eddie-murphy/ |access-date=June 20, 2019}}</ref>


In September 2021, it was announced filming will commence in January 2022 in Boston, with Ivan Reitman directing, Schwarzenegger and DeVito reprising their roles as Julius and Vincent Benedict, and [[Tracy Morgan]] replacing Eddie Murphy as Schwarzenegger and DeVito's long lost triplet brother.<ref name="TripletsMorgan">{{cite web |last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title= 'Twins' Sequel 'Triplets' Set: Tracy Morgan Joins Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito & Director Ivan Reitman In Hot Toronto Package |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/twins-sequel-triplets-tracy-morgan-joins-arnold-schwarzenegger-danny-devito-ivan-reitman-hot-toronto-film-package-1234830766/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |access-date=September 14, 2021 |date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> However, Reitman died in February 2022, leaving the status of the film unclear.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://movieweb.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-sombre-update-twins-sequel-triplets/#:~:text=Beloved%20director%20Ivan%20Reitman%2C%20who,at%20the%20age%20of%2075 | title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Provides a Sombre Update on the Twins Sequel, Triplets | date=March 8, 2022 }}</ref>
In September 2021, it was announced filming will commence in January 2022 in Boston, with Ivan Reitman directing, Schwarzenegger and DeVito reprising their roles as Julius and Vincent Benedict, and [[Tracy Morgan]] replacing Eddie Murphy as Schwarzenegger and DeVito's long lost triplet brother.<ref name="TripletsMorgan">{{cite web |last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title= 'Twins' Sequel 'Triplets' Set: Tracy Morgan Joins Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito & Director Ivan Reitman In Hot Toronto Package |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/twins-sequel-triplets-tracy-morgan-joins-arnold-schwarzenegger-danny-devito-ivan-reitman-hot-toronto-film-package-1234830766/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |access-date=September 14, 2021 |date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> However, Reitman died in February 2022, leaving the status of the film unclear.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://movieweb.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-sombre-update-twins-sequel-triplets/#:~:text=Beloved%20director%20Ivan%20Reitman%2C%20who,at%20the%20age%20of%2075 | title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Provides a Sombre Update on the Twins Sequel, Triplets | date=March 8, 2022 }}</ref> In May 2023, Schwarzenegger confirmed that a sequel would not be made, as Reitman's son [[Jason Reitman|Jason]] put the idea to an end following his father's death.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/arnold-schwarzenegger-says-his-twins-sequel-is-dead-jason-reitman-f-ed-it-up/|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger says his ''Twins'' sequel is dead: 'Jason Reitman f---ed it up!'|last=Travis|first=Emlyn|date=May 16, 2023|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0096320|Twins}}
* {{IMDb title|0096320|Twins}}
* {{amg movie|51349}}
* {{TCMDb title|id=20113}}
* {{tcmdb title|id=20113}}
* {{AFI film|id=52300|title=Twins}}
* {{AFI film|id=52300|title=Twins}}
* {{mojo title|twins|Twins}}
* {{mojo title|twins|Twins}}


{{Ivan Reitman}}
{{Ivan Reitman}}
{{William Davies}}


[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 films]]
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[[Category:1980s buddy comedy films]]
[[Category:1988 comedy films]]
[[Category:1988 comedy films]]
[[Category:American buddy comedy films]]
[[Category:1980s American films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:1980s English-language films]]
[[Category:Fictional duos]]
[[Category:1980s buddy comedy films]]
[[Category:Fictional twins]]
[[Category:American buddy comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about adoption]]
[[Category:Films about adoption]]
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[[Category:Films about eugenics]]
[[Category:Films about twin brothers]]
[[Category:Films about twin brothers]]
[[Category:Films directed by Ivan Reitman]]
[[Category:Films directed by Ivan Reitman]]
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[[Category:Films set in 1953]]
[[Category:Films set in 1988]]
[[Category:Films set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films set in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Films set in New Mexico]]
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[[Category:Films set in Texas]]
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[[Category:Films produced by Ivan Reitman]]
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[[Category:Films with screenplays by William Osborne (writer)]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Herschel Weingrod]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Herschel Weingrod]]
[[Category:Twins in fiction]]
[[Category:Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award–winning films]]
[[Category:Universal Pictures films]]
[[Category:Universal Pictures films]]
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[[Category:English-language buddy comedy films]]

Latest revision as of 03:25, 23 December 2024

Twins
Theatrical release poster
Directed byIvan Reitman
Written by
Produced byIvan Reitman
Starring
CinematographyAndrzej Bartkowiak
Edited by
Music by
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • December 9, 1988 (1988-12-09)
Running time
107 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$18 million[2]
Box office$216.6 million[3]

Twins (rendered in its title sequence logo as TWiiNS) is a 1988 American buddy comedy film directed and produced by Ivan Reitman. The film is about unlikely fraternal twin brothers (Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito) who were separated at birth. The core of the film is the contrast between the streetwise Vincent (DeVito) and the intelligent but naive Julius (Schwarzenegger).

The film was a commercial success, grossing $216 million worldwide.[3] Instead of taking their usual salaries for the film, Schwarzenegger, DeVito and Reitman agreed with the studio to take collectively 40% of the film's box office and rental returns; this resulted in them receiving the biggest paychecks of their film careers.[4]

Plot

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In 1953, Julius and Vincent Benedict are twin brothers, the result of a secret experiment carried out at a genetics laboratory at Los Alamos, New Mexico to combine the DNA of six fathers to produce the perfect child. To the surprise of the scientists, two fraternal embryos formed and the non-identical twins were born.

Vincent was placed in an orphanage run by nuns in Los Angeles and believed his mother abandoned him. With no one but himself to rely on, Vincent seduced a nun, escaped from the orphanage, and later became an indebted, small time criminal. Julius was raised on a South Pacific island by Professor Werner, one of the scientists from the experiment, who put him through intense physical training and extensive study. Both believed Mary Ann died during childbirth.

In 1988, each twin is unaware of the other's existence. On Julius' 35th birthday, Werner finally tells Julius about Vincent.[5] With Werner's blessing, Julius proceeds to Los Angeles to find his brother. Julius eventually tracks Vincent down in jail, where he is being held for unpaid parking tickets and driving with an expired license.

Julius bails Vincent out, but Vincent does not believe his story and abandons him in a parking lot. Julius pursues Vincent to his workplace and finds him being beaten up by Morris Klane, one of three loan shark brothers that Vincent owes $20,000. Julius subdues Morris, earning Vincent's trust and respect. He later meets Vincent's girlfriend Linda Mason and enters a romantic relationship with her sister Marnie.

Over dinner, Vincent shows Julius a document he stole from the orphanage that shows their mother is still alive, but believing that she abandoned him at birth, Vincent shows no interest in finding her. Believing that their mother may have also been lied to, Julius tracks one of their six fathers to the address on the document. The father directs Julius to Dr. Mitchell Traven, Werner's colleague, in New Mexico.

Vincent steals a late model Cadillac from a parking garage run by his buddy (to sell to a chop shop) and finds a prototype fuel injector in the trunk that was to be delivered to industrialist Beetroot McKinley in Houston, in return for $5 million. Vincent decides to pose as the delivery man, Mr. Webster, and deliver the fuel injector himself so he can collect the money and pay off his debts. He reluctantly allows Julius, Linda and Marnie to accompany him to New Mexico to find Traven, while Webster begins pursuing Vincent. In the process, he encounters the Klane brothers and shoots them in the legs as a warning to keep away from Vincent.

In New Mexico, Traven reveals the truth to the twins, pointing out that Julius resulted from the best genes, and spitefully denouncing Vincent as having come from the "leftover crap", leaving Vincent distraught. After Julius threatens him, Traven directs them to Santa Fe, where their mother lives in an art colony. Julius convinces Vincent to regain his spirits and they continue their journey.

On the way to Santa Fe, the twins are accosted by the Klane brothers, but they fight them off for the last time. At the art colony in Santa Fe, a gardener informs Julius and Vincent that their mother has died. They leave, unaware that the gardener was in fact Mary Ann herself, who did not believe their story, having been told she only had one son who died at birth.

Abandoning Julius and the girls in New Mexico, Vincent heads to Houston alone to deliver the prototype to Beetroot. Julius chases after Vincent, sensing his whereabouts thanks to twin telepathy, and finds him seconds after the exchange with Beetroot. Webster appears and kills Beetroot and his bodyguard, demanding the money from Vincent. Julius intercepts Webster, allowing Vincent to escape, but Vincent returns and agrees to give Webster the money to save Julius. Webster decides to kill them anyway for seeing his face, but Vincent, at Julius' subtle prompting, kills him by dropping a heavy chain onto him and burying him.

Julius and Vincent return both the prototype and $4 million (with Vincent skimming $1 million) and use a $50,000 reward to pay off Vincent's debts and start a consulting firm. Their publicity reaches the art colony, and Mary Ann learns that her sons are alive. She violently confronts Traven for concealing the truth and then tracks Julius and Vincent down to their workplace, where they share a warm reunion.

Sometime later, Julius and Vincent marry Marnie and Linda. Each marriage produces a set of twins: Jude and Mare, and Vinnie and Linnie, and the couples are last seen meeting their mother and Professor Werner on an outing.

Cast

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger as Julius Benedict, Vincent's older fraternal twin brother.
  • Danny DeVito as Vincent Benedict, Julius' younger fraternal twin brother.
  • Kelly Preston as Marnie Mason, Linda's sister and Julius' girlfriend.
  • Chloe Webb as Linda Mason, Marnie's sister and Vincent's girlfriend.
  • Bonnie Bartlett as Mary Ann Benedict, the twins' biological mother.
  • Trey Wilson as Beetroot McKinley
  • Marshall Bell as Mr. Webster
  • David Caruso as Al Greco, a friend of Vincent's.
  • Hugh O'Brian as Granger, one of the twins' six fathers.
  • Nehemiah Persoff as Dr. Mitchell Traven, one of the scientists from the experiment that created Julius and Vincent.
  • Maury Chaykin as Burt Klane, Bob and Morris' brother.
  • Tony Jay as Professor Werner, one of the scientists from the experiment that created Julius and Vincent who raised Julius.
  • Tom McCleister as Bob Klane, Burt and Morris' brother.
  • David Efron as Morris Klane, Burt and Bob's brother.
  • Sven-Ole Thorsen as Sam Klane, Burt, Bob, and Morris' cousin and Dave's brother or cousin.
  • Gus Rethwisch as Dave Klane, Burt, Bob, and Morris' cousin and Sam's brother or cousin.
  • Richard Portnow as Tony
  • Robert Harper as Gilbert Larsen
  • Jason Reitman as Granger Grandson

Production

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The original music score was composed by Georges Delerue and Randy Edelman. Edelman has scored three more films for director Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters II; Kindergarten Cop; and Six Days, Seven Nights) whereas this was Delerue's only work for him.

Notably, this was Arnold Schwarzenegger's first time starring in a major comedy. Because Universal Pictures viewed this as a significant risk compared with having Schwarzenegger make another profitable action film, Schwarzenegger voluntarily took no salary in exchange for a share of the film's profits. Co-star Danny DeVito and director Reitman made similar deals. When the film was a major financial success – box office of $216 million against an $18 million production budget – the three together earned a significant share of the overall profits. In a 2016 interview with Graham Bensinger, Schwarzenegger stated that the decision to "invest in myself" by trying comedy and forgoing the salary in exchange for a share of the film's profits was one of the best decisions of his entire life.[6]

Filming

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Many of the outdoor scenes were filmed in northern New Mexico. Locations and backgrounds included the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos, the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church in Ranchos de Taos, St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe and buildings in Los Alamos.

Music

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Soundtrack

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The film's title theme song, performed by Philip Bailey and Little Richard, reached No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1989.[7]

Reception

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Box office

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The film was a commercial success, opening as the number one film in the United States earning $11 million on its opening weekend.[3] It retained the top spot for the next two weekends and went on to gross $112 million domestically,[3] being the fifth biggest grossing film in the United States released in 1988.[8] The film was released in the United Kingdom on March 17, 1989, and topped the country's box office that weekend.[9] It grossed $216 million worldwide.[3]

Following the film's success, Reitman and Schwarzenegger teamed up again for Kindergarten Cop (1990) and then again for Junior (1994), which also starred DeVito.[10]

Critical response

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Twins received mixed reviews from critics upon release. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 42% approval rating based on 43 reviews, with an average score of 4.8/10. The consensus states: "Though it offers a few modest pleasures for undemanding viewers, Twins leans too heavily on the wackiness of its premise to overcome its narrative shortcomings."[11] On Metacritic the film has a score of 53 out of 100 based on reviews from 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[12] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.[13]

Roger Ebert gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, calling it "engaging entertainment with some big laughs and a sort of warm goofiness".[14]

Vincent Canby of The New York Times gave the film a negative review: "In Twins, which is supposed to be funny, the former Mr. Universe and pint-sized Danny DeVito play twins, the result of a genetic experiment that went awry. To the extent that Twins is carried by anybody, it is carried by Mr. DeVito. Mr. Schwarzenegger is dead weight."[15]

Cancelled sequel

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In March 2012, Universal announced the development of a sequel titled Triplets with Schwarzenegger and DeVito due to return with Eddie Murphy as their long lost triplet brother. Reitman was set to co produce.[16][17]

In April 2015, it was announced that plans for the film were put on hold. In March 2018, Schwarzenegger confirmed that the script for Triplets was finished and that Murphy was officially attached to the film. Schwarzenegger briefly discussed how Murphy's character became the triplet brother of his and DeVito's characters saying "funny thing that happens in the mixing of the sperm". It was unknown if Reitman would still be involved in the film, as originally announced in 2012.[18]

In September 2021, it was announced filming will commence in January 2022 in Boston, with Ivan Reitman directing, Schwarzenegger and DeVito reprising their roles as Julius and Vincent Benedict, and Tracy Morgan replacing Eddie Murphy as Schwarzenegger and DeVito's long lost triplet brother.[19] However, Reitman died in February 2022, leaving the status of the film unclear.[20] In May 2023, Schwarzenegger confirmed that a sequel would not be made, as Reitman's son Jason put the idea to an end following his father's death.[21]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "TWINS (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. December 12, 1988. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  2. ^ "Schwarzenegger Interview – Interview/Podcast". nerdist.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Twins". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  4. ^ "Schwarzenegger Interview – Interview/Podcast (starting at 42 min)". nerdist.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  5. ^ "Twins Script – Dialogue Transcript". Script-o-rama.com. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  6. ^ In Depth – Graham Bensinger. Interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger. September 14, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHL_UXfWT44
  7. ^ "Little Richard | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  8. ^ "1988 domestic grosses". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  9. ^ "Weekend box office 17th March 1989 – 19th March 1989". www.25thframe.co.uk. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  10. ^ Ebert, Roger (November 23, 1994). "Junior Movie Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "Twins". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  12. ^ "Twins". Metacritic. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  13. ^ "TWINS (1988) A-". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018.
  14. ^ Ebert, Roger (December 9, 1988). "Twins Movie Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  15. ^ Canby, Vincent (December 9, 1988). "Review/Film; Long-Lost Twin Brothers: Beauty and the Beast (Published 1988)". The New York Times. p. C18.
  16. ^ Kit, Borys (March 29, 2012). "'Twins' Sequel 'Triplets' in the Works for Arnold, DeVito...and Eddie Murphy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  17. ^ RedCarpetNewsTV:Arnold Schwarzenegger Confirms Terminator 5, Conan and Twins Sequels. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2013 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ Kit, Borys (March 11, 2018). "Triplets: Arnold Schwarzenegger Confirms Eddie Murphy, Script is Finished". Screen Rant. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  19. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 14, 2021). "'Twins' Sequel 'Triplets' Set: Tracy Morgan Joins Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito & Director Ivan Reitman In Hot Toronto Package". Deadline. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  20. ^ "Arnold Schwarzenegger Provides a Sombre Update on the Twins Sequel, Triplets". March 8, 2022.
  21. ^ Travis, Emlyn (May 16, 2023). "Arnold Schwarzenegger says his Twins sequel is dead: 'Jason Reitman f---ed it up!'". Entertainment Weekly.
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