It would appear Governor Schwarzenegger’s fans are still there for him even as his approval ratings sink. That doesn’t mean they’re willing to help him run for another term in office. Instead Arnold has been one of the big words in movie rumors this week, with the possible return of the big guy to two of his former franchises once his political time is over.
Moviehole points out an interview with producer Mario Kassar (currently promoting Basic Instinct 2) with television’s “Extra” where the remark is made that Terminator 4 is scripted and ready for Arnold to “to finish his term and step in front of the camera and play his trademark role”. No word about Terminator 3 co-stars Nick Stahl or Claire Danes, just that the film is waiting for the big guy. While I’m glad to see Kassar doesn’t want to continue the Terminator franchise without Arnie, at the same time how long do we want to see Schwarzenegger’s naked ass on screen? I’d be in favor of just letting the franchise rest at this point.
The other big rumor this week is interesting because it works with or without Arnold. Cinescape reports that, according to “The Arnold Fans” website, the Wachowski brothers are in discussions to direct the next Conan movie, Conan the Conqueror (or King Conan depending on what site you check). The Wachowski’s were originally slated to write and produce the next installment of the Conan saga, but left to work on other projects (like the recent V for Vendetta) when the franchise got bogged down. With Arnold’s name still attached to play Conan though, the movie may remain in a holding pattern, which means while Andy and Larry may indeed be talking about directing the film, those talks may wind up with them in the same place they were in when they were supposed to be writing and producing.
The problem with all of these rumors is that they depend entirely on Arnold deciding he’s done with politics if/when he looses the next gubernatorial election. Whose to say Arnie wants to return to a life of special effects, hot women, and money when he could get most of those things if he stayed in politics? Also, at the age of 60, how many more years does Arnold really want to devote to filmmaking? There’s a point where enough is enough and we need to let these characters rest, along with the actor who plays them.
