Meanwhile, Arnold Schwarzenegger was in a precarious position. His political career was simmering (he would be elected Governor of California just months after the film’s release). He initially demanded $30 million. The producers balked. Eventually, he settled for $15 million plus a private jet, a win-win for a man who needed to remind the world he was still a superstar before entering the capitol.
Inside the bunker, John and Kate discover it is not a Skynet control center, but a Civil Defense fallout shelter housing old radios. They realize they were not sent to stop the war, but to survive it. On the radio, they hear panicked calls for help from other bases. John accepts his destiny and begins to answer the calls, effectively becoming the leader he was raised to be. Nuclear missiles launch globally, and Judgment Day occurs. Terminator 3 Rise of The Machines
Edward Furlong was originally set to reprise his role as John Connor, but personal struggles and legal issues led to him being replaced by Nick Stahl. Schwarzenegger returned for a reported salary of $30 million, a record at the time. The producers balked
Jonathan Mostow