Arnold Schwarzenegger (68) is set to flex his comedy muscle once more in action comedy ‘Why We’re Killing Gunther’ that is due for release next year.
It will be the directorial debut of actor and comedian Taran Killam (34) who is best known for shows such as The Amanda Show, Mad TV and Saturday Night Live. He has also appeared in films ‘12 Years a Slave’, ‘Ted 2’ and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.’ It is currently in pre-production and Killam is also playing a part in the film.
The Austrian Oak is to play the titular role of Gunter who is described as the greatest hitman in the world. Said hitman is also an arrogant show off who steals jobs. The assassin community is tired of him and a group of eccentric killers from across the globe come together to set the perfect trap, but their master plan quickly turns into a series of mishaps, as Gunther always appears one step ahead.
It is Arnie’s first comedy role since Junior in 1996 if you do not count his guest appearance on ‘Two and a Half Men’ last year as Lieutenant Wagner.
After his time as Governor of California, he tentatively dipped a toe back in the action genre with a guest appearance in Stallone’s ‘The Expendables’ six years ago and has appeared in two sequels in a support role.
Speaking about Stallone’s role in the film, he said, “It is a great inspiration for people to see someone at his age still at the top of his game — acting, writing, directing, doing his own stunts and fight scenes — I mean, what an amazing talent. And for him to still be so athletic and be able to rip off his shirt and have a six-pack is just unbelievable.”
Since his return in 2010, he has appeared in action flicks ‘The Last Stand’, ‘Escape Plan’, and ‘Sabotage, as well as zombie movie ‘Maggie.’ While they were all good films they failed to propel him back to the top of the action genre that itself has been overtaken by superhero movies.
Arnold is still looking for a big hit. Once the biggest movie star in the world, he has struggled in his post-governor film career. His return to the Terminator franchise for 2015’s Terminator Genisys was met with a lukewarm reception.
The female lead in ‘Why We’re Killing Gunther’ has gone to Canadian actress and model Cobie Smulders (34) who is also to appear in Tom Cruise’s sequel ‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back’ next year.
On Arnold’s upcoming movie list too is ‘Triplets’ alongside Eddie Murphy and Danny DeVito, the sequel to 1988 comedy hit ‘Twins’. The plot outline for Triplets appears to be that Julius and Vincent Benedict discover they have a third sibling, after their mother’s will is read out and they set out to find him.
He is also to appear in his third Conan the Barbarian film, titled ‘The Legend of Conan’, as well as drama ‘478’ which is based on an airline accident that occurred in July of 2002 and on the events that took place 478 days later. Maggie Grace of Lost fame is to appear alongside him in this. He has been tipped to appear in the new Predator movie, reprising the role of Major Alan ‘Dutch’ Schaefer after 25 years from the 1990 blockbuster.
He is still driven as ever and seems determined to become a household name to a new generation of movies goers.