Did you know that Robert Patrick once tried to get Nine Inch Nails on the Terminator 2: Judgment Day soundtrack? It’s a fascinating piece of music history that almost changed the film’s legacy. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Robert Patrick isn’t just a talented actor—he’s also the brother of Filter frontman Richard Patrick, who, before forming Filter, played guitar and provided backing vocals for Nine Inch Nails. Talk about a family connection! At the time, Robert was such a massive fan of NIN that he personally pitched the idea to director James Cameron. So, what went wrong? And this is the part most people miss: Cameron was actually more into Guns N’ Roses, ultimately choosing their song “You Could Be Mine” for the film, which also appeared on Use Your Illusion II.
In a recent interview, Robert Patrick opened up about his musical passions, revealing that his favorite Nine Inch Nails track is “Head Like a Hole” from Pretty Hate Machine. He even recalled discussing the idea of using it in T2 with Cameron, but the director’s preference for Guns N’ Roses sealed the deal in a different direction.
But here’s the controversial part: While Robert respects Nine Inch Nails, his admiration for Filter runs even deeper. When asked about his favorite Filter song, he struggled to recall the title but eventually landed on “Surprise” from their 2013 album The Sun Comes Out Tonight. He described it as “a happier, loving song that I think he wrote for his daughter—it’s really beautiful.”
As for his favorite Filter album, Robert didn’t hesitate to name their 1995 debut, Shortbus, which kicked off with the hit single “Hey Man Nice Shot.” He boldly declared, “Shortbus is one of the defining albums of the ‘90s. It made hard rock popular, and it’s in the same vein as Skinny Puppy, Ministry, and Nine Inch Nails—though my brother might not appreciate that comparison!”
While Nine Inch Nails recently made waves with their first full score for Tron: Ares, Filter has also had their share of soundtrack success. They’ve appeared on soundtracks for The Crow: City of Angels, The X-Files, and most notably, Spawn, where they teamed up with The Crystal Method for the chart-topping hit “(Can’t You) Trip Like I Do.”
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: If Robert Patrick had succeeded in getting Nine Inch Nails on the T2 soundtrack, how might it have shaped the film’s cultural impact? Would it have overshadowed Guns N’ Roses’ contribution, or would it have been a perfect fit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this alternate musical history!
