Harsh Vardhan
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a name synonymous with Hollywood stardom and iconic action films, began his remarkable career with humble origins. Born in Austria in 1947, Schwarzenegger rose to prominence as a bodybuilder, winning the prestigious Mr. Olympia contest multiple times in the 1970s. His journey in the world of cinema commenced with a bang in 1970 when he made his first movie appearance in the low-budget film ‘Hercules in New York.’
However, it was his breakthrough role as the relentless cyborg assassin in James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi classic, ‘The Terminator,’ that catapulted him to international fame and established him as an action superstar. His career boasts a slew of major appearances in blockbuster hits, including ‘Predator,’ ‘Total Recall,’ ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day,’ and ‘True Lies,’ showcasing his immense versatility as an actor. Beyond his action-hero persona, he also ventured into comedy with films like ‘Twins’ and ‘Kindergarten Cop.’
Furthermore, he served as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, demonstrating his dedication to public service. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s indelible mark on the entertainment industry and his enduring legacy as an actor, bodybuilder, and politician continue to inspire generations worldwide. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s last major silver screen appearance was in ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ in 2019. But if that feels like a distant memory, get ready to mark your calendars because here’s a tantalizing glimpse of what the action legend has in store for his fans with his upcoming projects.
1. Kung Fury 2 (2024)
‘Kung Fury 2,’ an upcoming martial arts comedy film directed and co-written by David Sandberg, serves as a sequel to his 2015 featurette, ‘Kung Fury.’ The star-studded cast includes Arnold Schwarzenegger as The President alongside Sandberg himself, with David Hasselhoff, Michael Fassbender, Alexandra Shipp, Louis Emerick, and Jorma Taccone. The story is set in 1985, where Kung Fury and his Thundercops safeguard Miami from evil, with Adolf Hitler as their ultimate foe.
However, when a tragic event leads to the disbandment of the Thundercops, a new mysterious villain emerges to aid Hitler in his quest for the ultimate weapon. To save his friends, protect the Miami Kung Fu Academy, and defeat this new evil, Kung Fury embarks on a time-bending adventure through space and time. The film is complete but is yet to receive a 2024 release date.
2. FUBAR Season 2 (TBA)
‘FUBAR’ marks Arnold Schwarzenegger’s triumphant entry into scripted live-action television, as he stars in the action-comedy series created by Nick Santora exclusively for Netflix. Premiering on May 25, 2023, the show centers around Luke Brunner (played by Schwarzenegger), a seasoned C.I.A. operative who stumbles upon a closely guarded family secret, thrusting him back into the high-stakes world of espionage and putting his retirement plans on hold.
Joining Schwarzenegger in this exciting series is a talented ensemble cast, including Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Gabriel Luna, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Jay Baruchel, and Barbara Eve Harris. Carrie-Anne Moss has joined as Greta Nelso, a former East German spy with whom Luke has a romantic history. While an official release date for the second season remains pending, fans can rejoice as the series has started filming. The plot will involve Luke facing a new villain, one that turns out to be an old flame from his past who threatens to destroy his life and the world. FUBAR Season 2 will have eight 60-minute episodes and is expected to drop in late 2024 or 2025.
3. Breakout (TBA)
‘Breakout‘ is an eagerly awaited action thriller, with Scott Waugh set to direct. The gripping plot revolves around Terry Reynolds, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who embarks on a daring jailbreak mission when his stepson, Daniel, is wrongfully imprisoned in a foreign land, facing a harrowing 25-year sentence. As Reynolds races against time to rescue Daniel, he must outwit an overzealous prison warden to secure their escape and evade capture as they attempt to flee the country. Currently in the pre-production stage, ‘Breakout’ promises to deliver heart-pounding action and suspense.
4. The Original Action Hero (TBA)
This is a documentary that will trace the evolution of the quintessential action hero in cinema. Written by Tom Brown and directed by Mimi Freedman, it will showcase famous action stars, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Like Evans, and Charley Palmer Rothwell. While that have been no updates about this project other than the fact that it is in its pre-production stage, the fact that it is in this stage brings in high chances of release. The production house Photoplay is bankrolling it, and TBS is in charge of distribution. More details are awaited.
5. The Man with the Bag (TBA)
To be directed by Adam Shankman, this Amazon MGM Studios-backed Christmas action comedy stars Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson. We are yet to find out who else is in the movie. Based on a script by Allan Rice, the movie follows Santa, who takes him to his Naughty list and reaches out to a former thief named Vince for help in finding his stolen magic bag. We can safely presume that Schwarzenegger, whose last holiday venture was ‘Jingle All The Way’ (1996), is going to play Santa while Ritchson, of ‘Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Reacher’ fame, will play Vince. Currently in its pre-production stage, ‘The Man with the Bag’ has yet to receive a release date, albeit we can tell that it is going to be a heavyweight jingle-all-the-way ride. More details about this exciting project are awaited.
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