Schwarzenegger Returns to Hollywood

As promised, Arnold Schwarzenegger is back -this time, in Hollywood.

After serving as Governor of California for the past 8 years, the Austrian bodybuilder turned actor turned model turned Governator, at age 63, is returning to Hollywood to resume his acting career.

Schwarzenegger plans to debut his return with the drama ‘Cry Macho’, a drama in which Schwarzenegger plays a down-on-his-luck horse trainer who agrees to kidnap his former boss’ young son from his ex-wife in Mexico.  The film is set to be produced by Academy Award-winning producer Albert Ruddy (who also produced ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby’), and directed by Brad Furman (who directed ‘Lincoln Lawyer’).

But a lot of us want to know:  Is Schwarzenegger going to be back as the Terminator, the signature role that first sent him rocketing into superstardom some 37 years ago?  His spokesman Alan Mendelsohn said the timing has not yet been worked out among [Schwarzenegger’s] various projects yet, but the Governator has been lobbying for a fifth ‘Terminator’ sequel.

Since leaving the governor’s office in January, Schwarzenegger has been busy.  In addition to ‘Cry Macho’ and a ‘Terminator 5’, he is also working on a role in the crime saga ‘The Last Stand’, as well as featuring his voice in a fictionalized, crime-fighting cartoon version of himself created by Hollywood icon Stan Lee .

After 2 turbulent terms as California Governor, some are relieved that Schwarzenegger is staying where he is better acquainted -that is, on the big screen.  Political journalists from the LA Times and SD Union-Tribune discuss Schwarzenegger’s legacy here.

“In the future I have to adapt my roles to my age,” he told Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung. “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.”

While that may be all good and true, most of us are just glad The Terminator is back.

Images by Lon R. Fong and cliff1066 via flickr