Bryan Alexander

USA TODAY

Gunshots, sticks of explosives in his leg, truck pummeling — nothing seems to stop Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1984's The Terminator.

But the flu stopped the 67-year-old actor from celebrating The Terminator 30th anniversary at Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre Wednesday night.

A bleary-eyed Schwarzenegger gamely propped himself up to make a video from his home just hours before the event to explain his absence.

"I just came back from a trip throughout Europe and I caught the flu. I know machines are never supposed to get sick. But I am," said Schwarzenegger. "I thought the wisest thing would be to not to expose anyone else. I hope you understand."

Schwarzenegger had enough energy to thank the fans for the landmark science fiction film, now out on a remastered Blu-Ray edition.

The film set up the franchise that has just completed its fifth edition, Terminator: Genisys, due out in July 2015.

Director James Cameron and producer Gale Anne Hurd held the fort for Schwarzenegger during a Q&A following the sold-out celebratory screening.

Cameron told USA TODAY that he had spoken to Schwarzenegger hours before the event and "he was sick as a dog."

"I said, 'Terminators don't get sick. You don't feel pity or remorse. Or fear. And you absolutely do not stop. So what are you doing at home you little (expletive),' " said Cameron.

"OK, I didn't really say that last part," Cameron added quickly. "But that's what I thought. I told him that it was fine, I'd take care of it."

And Schwarzenegger vowed at the end of his video: "I'll be back."