Earlier today I was reading the article ‘Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in an action film – but can he cut it at 63?’ on the Guardian’s website.
I didn’t read it because of the love child incident or because he has just come out of politics. I read it because, in my opinion, Arnie will always be one of the best action stars.
I don’t see why Arnie shouldn’t take on an action role. As an audience we’re not stupid; we know he won’t be the same Arnie as he was in Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator – in his Conan days he was more famous for being a bodybuilder than an actor. At 63, he is still in good shape and while he is a bit long in the tooth, he has aged well.
Age hasn’t stopped other actors. Even though the film wasn’t that well received, Sly Stallone was quite impressive in The Expendables and during filming would have been 63. Mickey Rourke was brilliant in 2008’s The Wrestler though he was in his mid-50s during filming. Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and Morgan Freeman all packed quite a punch in 2010’s RED though they would have been about 55, 56 and 73, respectively.
As long as he isn’t doing anything too ridiculous – maybe stick to ranged weapons instead of hand-to-hand combat – I don’t see why Arnie shouldn’t take on an action role. It’s what he’s good at and I for one would pay to see him kick ass any day.
Image from Vectorportal.com
I’m also looking forward to his role in The Stand. Kim Ji-Woon is a great director, I’m sure he will have the good sense of not having Arnie do some completely implausible stunts as a 63-yr old 🙂
I agree, although it would be very funny if he was doing somersaults and the like 😛
Hey, William Shatner was 63 when he last played Captain Kirk and if I can take The Shat seriously in an action role then I guess there’s room for Arnie.
He’ll be back. Just not as quickly as you might remember. 😉
“He’ll be back. Just not as quickly as you might remember” – nicely put! It did make me chucke 🙂