Thread: Arnold Schwarzenegger moving forward with Western 'The Last Stand'

Originally Posted by Prince

(snip) In charting his post-political return to acting, Schwarzenegger, who will turn 64 later this month, has cited Clint Eastwood’s career as a model(snip)

Eastwood was born in 1930 so any movie Clint did after 1990 would be equivalent or prime for Arnold to emulate, imo.

2008 Gran Torino
Walt Kowalski

2004 Million Dollar Baby
Frankie Dunn

2002 Blood Work
Terry McCaleb

2000 Space Cowboys
Frank Corvin

1999 True Crime
Steve Everett

1997 Absolute Power
Luther Whitney

1995 The Bridges of Madison County
Robert Kincaid

1993 A Perfect World
Chief Red Garnett

1993 In the Line of Fire
Frank Horrigan

1992 Unforgiven
Bill Munny

1990 The Rookie
Nick Pulovski

1990 White Hunter Black Heart
John Wilson

I haven't seen all those flicks, but the ones I have make it clear to me that an older actor can bring in a movie audience! Best of luck to Ahnuld on his return to the silver screen!

Clint Eastwood is a tremendously talented guy with a wide range of abilities. Could be tough for Arnold to emulate such a gifted actor and director. The Eastwood playbook only works for someone who has similar abilities, and I just don't think Arnold is in the same league.

^^^^ Agreed to a point.

Arnold is good (or lucky) about surrounding himself with talented people.

Arnold's brilliance is not Clint's type of brilliance.....and Clint dedicated his ENTIRE life to film, while Arnold has diversified his mojo. While of course, his domination and drive, to be the best will cause him to focus on emulating the best - at most, he will excell in an entirely different realm or catagory of film.

Not that I judge the man for trying.....he's a god. I don't think he'll quit till he's dead in whatever he does.

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."

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

I do think Arnold has remarkable charm and charisma, and the ability to devote his energies fully toward reaching set goals. He is a bodybuilding legend, and his success in film is greater than any other bodybuilder. Who knows what he may achieve. I do find myself oddly rooting for him, despite my revulsion towards his behavior in his personal life. The fact is, we all make mistakes, and this country loves a good comeback story. Besides, he dosen't need to win oscars and achieve to the level of Eastwood to be considered a success. I wish him well, and hope he is successful in his new endeavors.

Originally Posted by MDR

I do think Arnold has remarkable charm and charisma, and the ability to devote his energies fully toward reaching set goals. He is a bodybuilding legend, and his success in film is greater than any other bodybuilder.

as well as most actors.

Originally Posted by Prince

as well as most actors.

No doubt that Arnold has had tremendous success at the box office. It will be interesting to see if it continues.

Neither Schwarzenegger nor Eastwood made the top ten box office list of actors (from 2009).

Will Smith is there, though.

Top 10 Most Successful Actors at the Box Office

Posted by Bryan Johnson, Wednesday, July 15, 2009

A good movie will transport you into a separate time or era with an intriguing story, everlasting characters, and imaginative plot development. It could have a happy, sad, romantic, or action packed theme. As a whole, the world population adores the character actors who star in these stories. People can personally relate to certain movie characters and individual actors. In the history of cinema, billions of dollars has been grossed in movie theatres and rental stores worldwide. Certain actors have made their mark on the industry becoming the most successful at the box office. I have compiled a list of the most successful actors in world history, according to money made on films they have starred in.

10. Robin Williams

U.S. Gross – $3,177,675,199
Worldwide Gross – $5,749,935,745



Robin Williams is a storied comedic actor who rose to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy. He quickly became an international celebrity and movie star in the 1980’s. Williams is a bit of a goofy character, but is a great actor and can also tackle dramatic roles. He has won six Golden Globes and three Grammy Awards in his career. Robin William’s average film gross is $59,956,136 million dollars per movie. Be sure to look out for his 2010 release Old Dogs. In March of 2009 Williams had successful heart surgery to replace his aortic valve. He has a tour planned and still travels the world performing his stand up comedy act.

Most Successful Films:

1. Night at the Museum – $574,480,841
2. Aladdin – $504,050,219
3. Mrs. Doubtfire – $441,286,195
4. Happy Feet – $385,000,317

9. Will Smith

U.S. Gross – $2,542,908,988
Worldwide Gross – $5,771,022,176



Will Smith is widely regarded as the most successful actor making films today. His movies have an amazing average gross of $127,145,449 million dollars, which is the highest among lead actors. He is the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in domestic box office sales. Will Smith has also had eight consecutive films open at the #1 spot. Unlike some individuals on this list, Smith has not earned movie credit for small roles or voice work. In the future, he will be starring in the blockbuster Time Share and will also be making a prequel to I Am Legend.

Most Successful Films:

1. Independence Day – $817,400,878
2. Hancock – $624,346,274
3. Men in Black – $587,790,539
4. I Am Legend – $585,055,701

8. Morgan Freeman

U.S. Gross – $3,138,301,600
Worldwide Gross – $5,851,042,996



Morgan Freeman is one of the greatest character actors of all time. He is rarely the leading man in films, but his role always stands out and is vital to the movies success. He has one of the most dominant and recognizable voices in Hollywood. He has starred in around sixty productions, which have an average gross of $64,046,971 million dollars. Freeman has many upcoming films he is contributing to, including Invictus, The Last Full Measure, and The Maiden Heist.

Most Successful Films:

1. The Dark Knight – $1,000,245,358
2. The War of the Worlds (Narrator) – $591,745,532
3. Bruce Almighty – $485,004,995
4. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves – $390,500,000

7. Eddie Murphy

U.S. Gross – $3,470,799,901
Worldwide Gross – $6,211,397,821



Eddie Murphy is undoubtedly the most successful comedic actor of all time. His films have an average gross of $99,165,711 million dollars. Eddie Murphy began his career as an edgy comedian and performance actor. Lately, he has turned to children’s films and continues to entertain billions of people worldwide. Murphy has three films set to be released in the last half of 2009. They are Beverly Hills Cop IV, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and A Thousand Words. Shrek Forever After will be out in the middle of 2010.

Most Successful Films:

1. Shrek 2 – $919,838,758
2. Shrek the Third – $798,958,162
3. Beverly Hills Cop – $316,300,000
4. Coming to America – $288,800,000

6. Bruce Willis

U.S. Gross – $3,045,317,743
Worldwide Gross – $ 6,432,992,990



Bruce Willis is a true action hero. He has appeared in over sixty films and usually plays the title role in his movies. Bruce Willis was born in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany and his father was an American soldier. He moved to Penns Grove, New Jersey when he was two years old, after his father was discharged from the military. To date, his films have an average gross of $51,615,555 million dollars per movie. He truly has a unique acting style and makes intense, edge of your seat, entertaining cinema. Watch out for his role alongside Tracy Morgan in Kevin Smith’s newest comedy A Couple of Dicks, which will be out in January of 2010.

Most Successful Films:

1. The Sixth Sense – $672,806,292
2. Armageddon – $554,600,000
3. Live Free or Die Hard – $383,531,464
4. Over the Hedge- $336,002,981

5. Tom Cruise

U.S. Gross – $3,274,294,878
Worldwide Gross – $6,642,337,497



Tom Cruise is a true international celebrity. He is cherished in Japan, Europe, and other areas of the world much more then many actors on the list. This is because he often travels and visits many different countries. Cruise is widely considered one of the most powerful celebrities in the world. His films have an average gross of $96,302,791 million dollars. He will be starring in the blockbuster Motorcade in 2010.

Most Successful Films:

1. The War of the Worlds – $591,745,532
2. Mission Impossible 2 – $546,209,889
3. The Last Samurai – $456,810,575
4. Rain Man – $412,800,000

4. Orlando Bloom

U.S. Gross – $2,390,308,637
Worldwide Gross – $6,554,217,251



Orlando Bloom is an English actor and the youngest member of this prestigious group of men. He landed main roles in two of the biggest trilogies of all time, playing Legolas in The Lord of the Rings and Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean. Orlando Bloom has an amazing average film gross of $183,869,895 million dollars per movie. Bloom’s first main title role was in the 2005 release Kingdom of Heaven, which was a profitable hit making $211,398,413 million dollars worldwide. Orlando Bloom is extremely popular in various areas of Europe and England. He has an international draw that is matched by very few. Some of his upcoming roles include appearances in the movies Sympathy for Delicious and Main Street.

Most Successful Films:

1. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King – $1,133,027,325
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – $1,065,659,812
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – $926,284,377
4. Troy – $497,398,577

3. Harrison Ford

U.S. Gross – $3,630,449,689
Worldwide Gross – $6,657,454,464



In the past, Harrison Ford was highest grossing actor in the world, but has recently fallen to number three. You have to keep in mind that Ford was popular during the 1970’s and 80’s when box-office sales were not as extravagant. This article does not measure inflation scales. A high majority of the most financially successful films in history have come in the last twenty years. At one point in history, each of the top five box office hits of all time included one of Harrison Ford’s roles. His films have an average gross of $98,120,262 million dollars. Ford will be starring in the film Crowley, which will be out at the end of the year.

Most Successful Films:

1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope – $797,900,000
2. Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – $786,558,765
3. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back – $534,171,960
4. The Fugitive – $368,900,000

2. Tom Hanks

U.S. Gross – $3,985,186,565
World Gross – $8,007,367,700



Tom Hanks is the most successful lead actor in cinema history with his films grossing over $8 billion dollars worldwide. He is averaging a gross of $94,885,394 million dollars per film. Tom Hanks has starred in over 50 movies and 19 of them made over $100 million dollars at the worldwide box office. Although, he does have the animated features Cars and The Simpson Movie on his resume, which he only had minor voice roles in. In 2010, Hanks will be starring in Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Toy Story 3.

Most Successful Films:

1. The Da Vinci Code – $757,236,138
2. Forrest Gump – $679,400,525
3. Saving Private Ryan – $481,635,085
4. Cast Away – $427,230,516

1. Samuel L Jackson

U.S. Gross – $4,458,983,764
Worldwide Gross – $8,640,150,950



Samuel L Jackson is the world’s highest grossing actor and his movies have made over $8.5 billion dollars worldwide. Samuel is different from many actors on this list and has played smaller character roles in many blockbuster films. You may argue that he doesn’t deserve the top spot over leading actors who have appeared in fewer films. Although, Samuel L Jackson has been the busiest man in Hollywood for the last twenty years and should be commemorated for appearing in so many famous motion pictures, over 70 productions in all. Movies that he has appeared in have an average gross of $57,166,459 million dollars. As you would expect, Samuel L Jackson will be appearing in some upcoming features, including Iron Man 2, Quantum Quest: Cassini Space Odyssey, and Blown. He is well aware of his sales record and is continuously trying to land roles in the year’s biggest blockbuster hits.

From Top 10 Most Successful Actors at the Box Office | Top 10 Lists | TopTenz.net

"The Last Stand" adds four more actors.

"The Last Stand" adds four more actors.

Eduardo Noriega, Steve Austin, Johnny Knoxville and Forrest Whitaker join the cast of ArnoldSchwarzenegger's comeback to action movies.
Eduardo Noriega, Steve Austin, Johnny Knoxville and Forrest Whitaker have joined the cast of Kim Jee-Woon's "The Last Stand", the movie in which former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger makes his big comeback to the actions movies that made him famous.

In the movie, Schwarzenegger plays Sheriff Ray Owens from Sommerton Junction, a small town near the Mexican border, that is asked by the FBI to help preventing drug dealer Gabriel Cortez Smith from crossing the border in the Gumpert Apollo, a modified racecar going 177mph. If Smith suceeds and reaches Mexico, he'll disappear before the FBI is able to locate him. Owens the one thing standing between Smith and his freedom.

Noriega is playing Smith, the movie's main villain alongside the previously cast PeterStormare, who is playing Burrell, an ex-Marine turned mercenary who is hired by Smith to lead a team of eight men on a mission to exterminate all the cops in Sommerton Junction in order to facilitate Smith's escape.

Austin's role hasn't been revealed, but it is believed that he is playing Lewis Dinkun, a paranoid inhabitant from Sommerton Junction who has reunited a big cache of weapons in order to protect himself from possible terrorist attacks. When Sommerton Junction is attacked by Burrell and his men, Owens makes Dinkun an official deputy in order to use his weapons to protect their people.

Knoxville's and Whitaker's roles also haven't been revealed, but it is believed that Knoxville is playing one of Owens' deputies and Whitaker is playing FBI agent John Bannister, commander of the manhunt on Smith that is forced to enlist Owens' help in his effort to re-capture the drug dealer.

Also in the cast are Rodrigo Santoro laid-back Deputy Frank Martinez; Zack Gilford as Martinez's best friend, the straight-laced Deputy Jerry Bailey; and Jaimie Alexander as Martinez's love interest, Sarah Torrance.

The Script was written by Andrew Knauer and Jeffrey Nachmanoff, and revised by George Nolfi, and the movie is being produced by Lionsgate Films. "The Last Stand" will be released on January 18, 2013.