Schwarzenegger role recalls political uproar
He leers. He drinks. He’s surrounded by scantily clad dancing girls.
And then Arnold Schwarzenegger hops into a hot tub and makes unwanted advances toward a fetching young woman seated next to him.
Unwelcome publicity for the man who fended off groping allegations and became California’s governor? Not quite.
It’s Schwarzenegger’s post-gubernatorial return to the big screen: an attention-grabbing cameo as a rakish Turkish potentate in the adventure-comedy “Around the World in 80 Days,” which opens in theaters today.
Schwarzenegger filmed his scenes as a vain, bejeweled, silk-robed ruler last June — before he announced his intention to run for governor — in Germany’s Sanssouci Palace, which was transformed for the movie into a Turkish pleasure den.
A few months later, several women accused him of sexual harassment preceding the landmark recall election that put him into office.
“I had no knowledge of any of this stuff. It was one of those odd things that happened, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s really funny now, ” says director Frank Coraci.
The soon-to-be-governor came back to re-record his voice for the scene during the middle of his campaign but didn’t ask for any changes.
“He came into the room, watching the scene — the whole time I’m nervous,” Coraci says. “He had a cigar in his mouth, and he’s watching the scene and he turns after it’s over and says: ‘Frank, you did it again.’ ”
Fellow actors applauded Schwarzenegger’s willingness to mock his Hollywood image.
“I think Schwarzenegger don’t care in this movie; he make fun of himself,” Jackie Chan, the film’s star and executive producer, said before the movie’s L.A. premiere.
Added co-star Cecile De France, who ended up in the hot tub with Schwarzenegger: “I think he was a very good sport, to throw away his ego and accept to wear this stupid wig and funny bathrobe.”
So is this Schwarzenegger’s farewell to the silver screen?
“He’s the governor right now, and that’s obviously what he’s committed to,” says spokeswoman Sheryl Main. “I don’t see where there’s time for movies, to be honest with you.”