Shaping the character

Jamie Lee Curtis was deeply involved in shaping her character from the early stages of the script. Two key suggestions she made helped enhance Helen’s role and storyline. First, she pushed for Helen to remain unaware of Harry’s double life. In the original script, Helen was already in on Harry’s spy antics. Curtis believed that keeping Helen in the dark would make the revelation more comedic and surprising, adding an extra layer of conflict and humor to their relationship.

Second, Curtis advocated for more scenes showing Harry and Helen bickering and arguing over his deceptions, with eventual moments of reconciliation. She felt that these emotionally honest moments would give their relationship greater depth, making it resonate more with the audience.

Director James Cameron agreed with her vision and reworked the script to incorporate these changes. As a result, Helen’s character became more dynamic, offering a blend of comedy, drama, and genuine emotional conflict as she processed the shocking truth about Harry’s secret life.

The hanging from a helicopter-scene

Curtis also insisted on doing her own stunts. While Arnold Schwarzenegger dealt with his own dangerous stunt work involving runaway horses, Curtis faced her own high-flying challenges. One of the most memorable stunts involved her hanging from a helicopter, 250 feet in the air at 60 mph.

Initially, James Cameron was hesitant, but Curtis was determined.

“I was willing to do all of it,” she said of the experience. “I’m willing to do almost anything, I have no fear of heights.”

On the day of the shoot, Curtis was suspended from a helicopter skid with no safety nets, while Cameron filmed her with a handheld camera from outside the aircraft. Both director and actress were willing to risk their lives for the shot, creating one of the most intense, heart-pounding action sequences ever filmed.