Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed for Korean director Kim Jee-woon pic

Arnold Schwarzenegger (left) and Kim Jee-woon [Reuters/10Asia]

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been confirmed for Korean director Kim Jee-woon's first English-language film, according to a Hollywood entertainment website.

The decision comes two months after Schwarzenneger had originally decided to star in the movie, titled "The Last Stand" by the helmer of the critically acclaimed "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" (2008), but had pulled out just before his damaging sex scandal went public, Deadline Hollywood reported on Monday.

However, despite being embroiled in what could be a messy divorce from his wife Maria Shriver, the former action star-turned-politician has returned to the project which will is set to crank in around September, Deadline said.

"The Last Stand" will be Schwarzenegger's first starring project since ending his seven-year term as governor of the state of California in January. His last appearance on the big screen was in a cameo role in 2010 action film "The Expendables" following his main character role in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" in 2003.

Based on a spec script by Andrew Knauer that was subsequently rewritten by Jeffrey Nachmanoff, "The Last Stand," whose domestic and international distribution rights are held by Lionsgate, has been pre-sold to several countries overseas as well, Lionsgate officially announced later in the day.

Schwarzenegger will play Sheriff Owens, a man who has resigned himself to a life of fighting after leaving his post at the LAPD when chases after a notorious drug cartel leader trying to escape to Mexico after breaking out of an FBI prisoner convoy.

“Arnold Schwarzenegger will bring incredible magnetism to this complex but classic role,” President of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group Joe Drake was quoted as saying. "In this film, the Sheriff Owens character grapples with some really tough stuff, but ultimately triumphs, and we knew he’d truly elevate this high octane ride.”

"The Last Stand," to be produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura through di Bonaventura Pictures, is expecting a release sometime next year.

※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

Jessica Kim jesskim@