Despite being more well known in the public eye for his various roles as action-hero heavy-men from the 1980s, actor and former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger is no stranger to humor. Having starred in such popular studio comedy films as Kindergarten Cop and Twins, the onetime California governor knows how to turn on the charm while simultaneously bringing significant physical force to his more comical roles.
In recent years, Schwarzenegger has begun to vary his film roles somewhat more, starring in the big-budget action franchise The Expendables alongside turns in smaller arthouse fare like the indie zombie-drama Maggie. But Schwarzenegger’s next role will see the versatile A-lister back in the realm of the studio comedy, with Saturday Night Live player Taran Killam sitting in the director’s chair.
According to THR, Schwarzenegger has just the joined the cast of Why We’re Killing Gunther, a new comedy about a team of eccentric international assassins dead-set on killing their boss Gunther - who proves to be a more than worthy, and arrogant, adversary. What follows is set to feature a series of various embarrassing encounters with the world’s greatest hitman of the film’s title, with Gunther remaining one step ahead of everyone else throughout. The film is set to co-star first-time director Killam, Cobie Smulders (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Bobby Moynihan (Sisters), Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley), and Randall Park (The Interview).
Shooting is currently slated to start in June - and with all of the central players in place, Why We’re Killing Gunther should serve as a solid starting-off point for Killam as a studio comedy filmmaker. Casting Schwarzenegger can only serve to embolden the film’s premise and lend plenty of dramatic weight to what is sure to be a physically demanding production; though given the decided humorous chops of the Terminator star, Why We’re Killing Gunther should be a fun time too.
Granted, this will be the first foray into directing for SNL superstar Killam, but provided his premiere film is as funny and thoughtfully played out as any of his sketch appearance usually are on TV, the comic actor should have nothing to worry about. And Schwarzenegger should prove to be an enticing bit of incentive for action movie and comedy fans alike to indulge in watching Why We’re Killing Gunther, so here’s to hoping that the film lives up to its outlandishly broad premise.
Screen Rant will keep you updated on all information related to Why We’re Killing Gunther.
Source: THR
