Arnold Schwarzenegger’s roles in “The Terminator,” “Predator,” “Total Recall,” “True Lies,” and “Last Action Hero” mean that he is rightfully regarded as an action icon.
But much has changed in the two decades since the Austrian sat atop of the genre. During my recent discussion with Arnold Schwarzenegger regarding his latest film “Killing Gunther” I decided to ask the actor for his thoughts on the current state of action films, and if he’s still a fan.
“Oh yes. I especially like action movies that are real based action movies rather than the comic book characters. Original stories, but real. Watching Liam Neeson is more fun than watching one of the big Marvel comic book characters. Because it is all reality based. It’s like, ‘Oh my God his daughter is kidnapped. I hope they can find the guy.’ With the big movies that we see now, that cost $200 million, they are very entertaining, and I invite my kids over to the house and we all watch it and have a great time, but it’s not my most favorite thing.”
But while Schwarzenegger is clearly more partial to “Taken” than “Iron Man” there’s one filmmaker that stands out above the rest, as he singled out James Cameron for particular praise.
“’Avatar’ was my favorite. To me the James Cameron movies are right up my alley. Because they have a great combination of visual effects and reality. You are put in this world, and it is such a fantasy, but still real people that you get involved with, and their stories. Their lives. Their dramas. And everything. He’s just so good at that. Like ‘Titanic’: Wow! What a story. Both great visual effects. Both great dramas.”
It’s little surprise that Schwarzenegger is such a huge Cameron fan, as he has worked extensively with the director throughout his career, on the likes of “The Terminator,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” and “True Lies.” Schwarzenegger will re-team with Cameron early next year for the sixth installment to the “Terminator” franchise, too, however Tim Miller (“Deadpool”) is directing that film as Cameron will be busy with his numerous “Avatar” follow-ups.
I asked Schwarzenegger whether his appreciation of “Avatar,” and his friendship with Cameron, had led him to ask the director for a cameo in one of the upcoming sequels. “I will go over and visit him on the set and do a cameo,” Schwarzenegger jokingly responded.
You’ll be able to look out for a musclebound Na’vi with a strong European accent when the first “Avatar” follow-up is released on December 18, 2020, while “Avatar 3” will follow on December 17, 2021, and “Avatar 4” and “Avatar 5” will arrive in December 2024 and 2025, respectively. Before then, though, “Terminator 6” will be released on July 26, 2019.
If you’re looking for some Arnie action before then, though, you can check out his latest film “Killing Gunther,” which is now available On Demand and in select theaters.
