The Hollywood hero and former California governor is involved in two upcoming China film projects.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is making himself at home in China, signing up for a $200 million Chinese historical epic, and filming scenes for a new movie with Jackie Chan.
Schwarzenegger announced Monday that he will star in The Guest of Sanxingdui (三星堆来客), with the title referring to the ancient ruins in China’s southwest Sichuan province where the film will be partially shot. The Terminator star will also serve as an international ambassador for the site, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
The film will have an initial budget of USD 200 million, Xinhua reported, and will be produced by Beijing Ajimo, an investment company with no apparent previous film production credits. As the title implies, Schwarzenegger will play a foreign visitor to Sanxingdui during its heyday, thousands of years ago. Set to be shot in 3D, Guest will begin shooting in March 2017 for an expected 2019 release.
The former California governor was accompanied by Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan on his trip to Sichuan, having just completed his role in Journey to China (中国游记) with Chan this week. The film is a Sino-Russian co-production involving China Film Co. Ltd., shooting in Beijing, London and Moscow.
Schwarzenegger did not indicate if Chan would be involved in the Sanxingdui production. He and Chan both appeared in the 2004 film adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days, and worked together on an anti-film piracy public service announcement while Schwarzenegger was still governor.
Schwarzenegger made no mention of either of the Chinese film projects on his social media accounts.
