Arnold Schwarzenegger In 'The Last Stand': Western Provides First Post-Scandal Role

Arnold Schwarzenegger initially committed to the film before his cheating and illegitimate son scandal rocked the world, but the allegory presented by "The Last Stand," whether by sick fate or sheer coincidence, matches the former mighty Iron Man and governor's current situation like a shadow.

Deadline reports that Schwarzenegger has re-committed to the film, which will be the first English feature by director Kim-ji-Woon. A Lionsgate executive told Deadline that, "It's an old-fashioned Western specifically designed for a 63-year-old broken-down guy with a moral decision whether Arnold decides to stand up for his town."

Schwarzenegger, in real life, is certainly hobbled and faced with moral conundrums, which should add a dash of buzz to the film -- and the interviews to promote it that are sure to come.

Understandably, Schwarzenegger's career has taken a huge hit since the scandal broke, dashing his plans to return to prominence after his time in Sacramento, both in the flesh and animated. He teamed up with Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee to create a superhero based on his nickname while in office, "The Governator." That project got put on hold thanks to the scandal.

In fact, Schwarzenegger was juggling a number of offers; allegedly amongst them was "With Wings As Eagles," the story of a kindhearted Nazi soldier who helps rescue kids, against orders from his superiors.

"In the future I have to adapt my roles to my age," he told an Austrian newspaper earlier in the year. "Clint Eastwood also has done it in the same way. Extreme fighting or shooting is not possible anymore. I want to be more encouraged as an actor and I believe that I can manage this challenge. I am like a sponge, which is absorbing all the knowledge and always be willing to learn all new things."

For more on "The Last Stand," click over to Deadline.

Comments

[SteveL]

11:31 PM on 07/14/2011

Hey Arnold go sell your movie the same place you sold that contract for bridge building, China.

[Roy Rudy]

11:56 PM on 07/13/2011

'Sushi Western' anyone? The villainous gunslinger cowboys are asked 'Where are you guys from?' A few oriental objects in the background may support the idea that there are some Asian actors in this Western movie and 'No' they do not look like 'Sheriff Arnold.' Warning, this movie is not reminiscent of 'The Wild, Wild West.'

[Roy Rudy]

10:57 PM on 07/13/2011

This may be very interesting (the concept, not Arnold's movie) as a concept western. Much like Clint Eastwood making westerns in Italy known as the 'Spaghetti Westerns', now Arnold Schwarzenegger will make at least 1 Asian Western movie known as a 'Sushi Western.' The idea may be very altering, with such bad guys as Asian cowboys with accents that were not known in the 'Wild Wild West.' A few deviating facts of western heroism may accompany the story plot that inspires questions such as; 'Who wrote the script?' and 'Who designed the setting props for this movie?' The outcome may possibly produce an end setting of "That is just not possible!'

[Super Lib]

08:20 PM on 07/13/2011

Yes, an oversized, old, roided up, austrian cowboy that has an accent so thick you would think he got off the boat yesterday. That will make as much sense as any other movie he's done. LMAO!!!

[GirlInNYC]

10:54 AM on 07/13/2011

No because the public is hypnotized by celebrities. If Chris Brown can beat a woman to a pulp and come out with a #1 album and female fans blaming the victim, sure a cheater can make a comeback. His target audience is probably men anyway, and with his little maid affair, he has Latino support...LOL. Joking on that last one.

[v eyepete]

07:47 AM on 07/13/2011

Only in American can a guy who can't act make it in pictures. Only in America can a cheating, posing, falsely smiling immigrant marry into one of America's leading political families. Only in America can a guy with no education become governor of a state, then after driving the state into the ground, get more work in pictures. Only in America will people go to see a guy who can't act in a movie. I don't understand it.

[swlewis57]

11:22 AM on 07/13/2011

Um, I do believe he has a Master degree in business.

[Verne Chaffee]

02:49 PM on 07/13/2011

Embarassing, do your homework. Arnold has a college degree and he became a millionaire with a constrcution company long before he made money in the movies

[seelymt]

06:13 AM on 07/13/2011

The worse you are, the more successful you become! Boycott everything that promotes "bad" people.!

[MyTake]

07:43 PM on 07/12/2011

Oh, I was so hoping the Movie Title would have been "How I Made The Maid In California".

Then, if the Movie flopped on the Commercial side, they could simply change the Title to "How I Laid The Made In California" and sold it off to the Por*no*graphic Industry.

Either way, the story lines would have been terrific. The Governor calls, from his Government Office, home asking for something SPECIAL to be served up for lunch.

Better yet, he and Tiger Woods should get together for a adult movie sponsored by NIKE.

[Roy Rudy]

11:01 PM on 07/13/2011

Ah! Ha ha ha ha ha... Short stop replied "Vewwy funny Indiana Jones!"

[ltheghost]

04:53 PM on 07/12/2011

Hopefully he will make a new Terminator movie.

[Skydave]

04:43 PM on 07/12/2011

People act like this is the first cheating scandle to ever happen. It's a fact of life, not a nice one but married and unmarried couples cheat every day. Arnold just happens to be high profile and in hollywood, where the cheating happens more often. I even bet some of the folks that have commented so harshly have cheated at some point in their life. Rocks and glass houses you know? He'll recover, and Maria will walk away with a couple hundred million and she will get over it also. No one deserves to be cheated on, but but it happens. What do we expect with a less than 50% divorce rate.

[carliear7]

04:40 PM on 07/12/2011

People are such hypocrites! as soon as someone makes a mistake they are ready to kick him. His extra marital affarir is between him and his wife. What in dickens does that have to do with his acting ability, and why should he be rejected! Good Luck Arnold--move on. Hope its a good role for you, and you can make it back!

[Jaguar8450]

02:30 AM on 07/13/2011

A mistake is when you add 2 plus 2 and you equal that to a toal of 3. Mistakes have nothing to do with when a married father who is living with his wife while he is banging the hired help on the same bed he shares with his wife and children when they rush in on a early morning to wake up both Daddy and Mommy. That is not a mistake. It's is a betrayal of martial vows, love, family values and trust.

[v eyepete]

07:51 AM on 07/13/2011

Bottom line: There are talented Americans not getting a chance to work in pictures because this bad actor keeps getting the parts... and for what reason? He could never act. His performances have always been laughable. He is a pretender and he stepped on a lot of faces to get his breaks. The only thing he had was muscles... and where are they now?

[Tj Breiling]

03:49 PM on 07/12/2011

never a good actor , all fake stuff, stinks physically,< ask Maria, LIar, ng in governor role , >>> stick 2 cartoons where he can be the village idiot!!! d
DO NOT SEE HIS MOVIE

[Bill Jameson]

03:42 PM on 07/12/2011

Mr. "S" w/respect.: You blew your comeback! No more movies for you, Arnold! Life as you know it is OVER One BIG MISTAKE cost you a wife,4 children, a career, friends, fans. No "SuperHero" "Governator" cartoon for you You are no longer a "role model" "Last Stand" movie you are to star in, Only "role" for you is "real life:, remorseful husband & dad, make amends, make them proud to call you "DAD." Out of respect for them, PLEASE DON'T SHOW YOUR FACE IN MOVIES! You made "Pumping Iron", "Terminator", kids looked up to you & wanted to be you. Try to be a "better dad" to your new son & be a positive influence in his life - he should not have to suffer for the "sins of his father." With respect to movie "With Wings As Eagles", I feel you should not be typecast as a "Kindhearted" soldier who helps to rescue kids. Role should go to someone who can "fit" the part, kindhearted & helps kids & who kids can look up to as a positive role model. In comparing yourself to Mr. Clint Eastwood & the roles that he has chosen as an ":older actor" , please don't even mention his name in the same breath as yours. Mr. Eastwood is in a class all by himself & is professional, dignified, respectful & has integrity - You commented that you wanted to "learn new things" now at 63. Possibly "learning" about cherishing the good things in

[Ale]

03:31 PM on 07/12/2011

Putting aside politics or acting skill for a moment and focusing on the love child scandal.
I think that unlike Mel Gibson, Arnold comes off much better.
While he had an affair and secret child, he does not come off to me as cruel or mean spirited as Gibson does.
I think Gibson is finished because he really allowed his ugly side to show.
with Arnold, I think the quality of the movie will be the deciding factor for most folk.

[Just walkin the dog here]

03:30 PM on 07/12/2011

We know Clint Eastwood, and Arnold, you are no Clint Eastwood. So, is he going to play an Austrian cowboy, or lose the accent as he could have long ago.