Column: Although governor says no to T-4, he could be cast as Cyber Arnold
By Alex Ben Block
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he will not do the fourth “Terminator” movie; being busy running the largest state in the union. However, there is still a way he could star without leaving his office, taking meetings or otherwise wasting his valuable time, while making money for charity, and sending positive messages to kids.
Along with being boss of the Golden State, political Kingmaker, a legendary movie star, an incredible Horatio Alger story, he could still star in T-4. He won’t have to come to a movie set to work, or take a minute away from smoking cigars in a tent and deciding the fate of the Golden State.
All the governor has to do is agree to allow his image, name and association with the Terminator franchise to continue.
From there, the suits, creative types and hi tech geeks would take over, and make the first $100 million action art film, based on a script provided by a Shakespeare clone. T-4 3-D could cap the governator’s incredible screen career and it would make a great spin off video game as well. He could donate his pay to Maria’s favorite charity, or the state fund for orphans. His only duty would be to sign a contract and then show up at the premiere to shake hands with the execs and shoot the breeze with the press while having his picture taken a few million times. He would command above the title billing: Cyber Arnold in digital 3-D. Bigger than ever, and he was already a big guy… Even bigger than his bulging,, rippling muscles when he used to grease up and do shows flexing on a pedestal as a young body builder.
T-4 3-D would not be some schlock production. There have been amazing advances in motion picture technology thanks to the marriage of digital video and computers. It is now possible to create CG-realistic characters, as was done recently by Disney in the delightful 3-D time travel movie “Meet The Robinsons.” And the new digital 3-D process works wonderfully both for filmmakers and the audience, expanding the experience. In “Terminator 4 3-D,” Cyber Arnold will be able to act, speak, run and jump. He will not need a stunt double, an extra wide trailer or a visit from a masseuse named Heidi. He will always show up and his skin will never get a pimple, unless he wants one.
This Terminator will still kick butt but only the behinds of those who really deserve it. He will be a role model to kids and an action figure that will be a smash at Toys R Us. . The Gov can have script approval and final cut, to ensure the project will enhance his political career and not disrupt it. What could be better in 2008 as the new president is being crowned – a job he is denied by the constitution to his bitter fortune — than for Arnold to be starring in a hot new movie premiering in NY and LA, then playing on 7,000 screens worldwide the same day, as well as pay per view, video on demand, satellite, cable, DVD, Internet, cellular and wireless. This would not take away from his serious political guy image; and it would add to his legend as the multi-media, multi-national, multi-talented, rich as Croesus, movie star politician, great dad,
Kennedy-connected husband, who we have all come to admire, if not agree with. And it certainly won’t hurt him in his new role as political kingmaker. Schwarzenegger won’t be in the 2008 Presidential election, but he will still likely come out a winner. His political capital has been greatly enhanced by his herding of the numerous contenders around California, and through Washington, where he is regularly seen, and warmly welcomed, in the corridors of power.The Governator has emerged as a Republican power broker, a potential political potentate, a kingmaker and rainmaker (he can raise money). He has managed to romance and triangulate Sen. John McCain, former NYC Mayor Rudy Guiliani, flip flopper former Mass Gov. Mitt Romney, the great Hispanic hope Bill Richardson and others; while committing to no one.
The savvy Schwarzenegger can afford to wait for a clear GOP front-runner to emerge from the early primaries next year.
For Arnold, the presidential election is not nearly two years off. It is less than seven months off. It arrives this February, when the candidates will quickly become clear following a historically large number of early primaries, from California to Florida. Arnold has found the political middle in California. He has upheld enough GOP gospel to pass muster with most Republicans. He has proven more reasonable than past Republican governors on numerous state and legislative issues, including his initiatives to make California a leader in energy independent. He may have Rudy Guiliani’s position on abortion, but Schwarzenegger has still been the preference of the Christian Right (compared to the Dem alternative).
Schwarzenegger, the movie star turned high profile governator and political power broker, will emerge from the 2008 elections with more prestige and power than ever. Even if there is a Democratic landslide, which may be the only way out of Iraq, Arnold will be well positioned.
He could still run for Senator or take a cabinet post in the next administration, if one of his GOP pals prevails. By moving up the California primary, Schwarzenegger smartly added to his power. The Golden State’s big vote matters more now and who better to be aligned with than the glam gov. It is also important for candidate’s exposure. Being with Arnold can get you on the news. And he can help raise money for the real race: who can buy the most media time for commercials. Those who have the money will have an edge at the polls in such a huge and sprawling state. So there is no reason for the Governor not to green light T4 in 3-D immediately. It will take time and a lot of computer memory to produce T-4 3-D and have it ready for a November 2008 release.