You know that feeling when you’re scrolling through your feed and something makes you do a double-take? That’s exactly what happened when local residents started buzzing about a very familiar face being spotted around town. Arnold Schwarzenegger – yes, that Arnold – was recently in London filming his Netflix series FUBAR, and honestly, the internet had some thoughts.
The action star was captured on location for the second season of his hit Netflix show, which has been quietly making waves since its debut. And while most of us were probably just going about our regular Tuesday routines, Schwarzenegger was out here turning our city into his personal movie set.
The production, which went by the code name “Oink” during filming (because apparently even Netflix productions need their secrets), had crews scattered around various locations throughout the city. Local Reddit users were quick to spot the telltale signs of a major production, with base camps popping up near the airport and crews setting up shop around Oxford and Veterans Memorial Parkway.
What’s particularly wild is how casually the whole thing went down. One Reddit user mentioned that Schwarzenegger looked so regular in photos that you could easily walk past him on the street without realizing who it was. Which, let’s be honest, is both disappointing and oddly comforting – even action legends need their low-key moments.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, either. Just as news broke about the filming, the Terminator 40th Anniversary was playing at Silver City, leading to some seriously wishful thinking from fans hoping he might make a surprise appearance. Spoiler alert: he didn’t, but the coincidence was too good not to mention.
FUBAR, for those who haven’t been keeping up with their Netflix queue, follows a father-daughter duo working as CIA operatives. It’s the kind of show that perfectly balances Schwarzenegger’s action chops with the more nuanced storytelling that streaming platforms have become known for. And apparently, London provided the perfect backdrop for whatever chaos the second season has in store.
The production managed to keep things surprisingly under wraps, considering we’re talking about one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. The “Oink” code name worked its magic, with many locals spotting the signage without immediately connecting it to the Netflix series. It wasn’t until CTV confirmed the connection that the pieces started falling into place.
Local film enthusiasts were particularly excited about what this means for London’s growing reputation as a filming destination. Film London has been working overtime to attract major productions to the area, and landing a Netflix series starring a Hollywood heavyweight feels like a pretty significant win.
The fact that Schwarzenegger was apparently spotted around town during downtime only adds to the charm of the whole situation. Previous sightings in Toronto showed him casually biking around the city, completely unbothered by the lack of recognition. There’s something oddly endearing about an action star who just wants to enjoy a peaceful bike ride between takes.
Reddit users couldn’t help but speculate about other aspects of his London experience – from whether he’d master the infamous “London left” driving technique to if he’d figure out proper zipper merging. Because really, what’s more relatable than wondering if even the Terminator struggles with local traffic patterns?
The second season of FUBAR has since been released on Netflix, giving viewers a chance to spot familiar London locations throughout the episodes. It’s that weird thrill of seeing your hometown transformed into someone else’s story, even if you had no idea it was happening while you were probably stuck in traffic on the same roads they were filming on.
The production crews were reportedly professional and efficient throughout their stay, working around the city’s regular rhythm without causing too much disruption. Though one can only imagine the conversations that must have happened when residents stumbled across major film equipment unexpectedly placed around their neighbourhoods.
For a city that’s been steadily building its reputation in the film industry, hosting a Netflix production featuring a name like Schwarzenegger feels like a natural progression. It’s the kind of project that puts London on the map for other major productions considering Ontario locations, which could mean more Hollywood faces wandering our streets in the future