If this year’s bomb The Last Stand proved anything, it’s that Arnold Schwarzenegger can no longer sell an action vehicle on name alone. Staying in the genre with the upcoming Escape Plan and Ten, we’ve been eager to see if the Hollywood talent has any plans to step outside of his comfort zone and according to a new press release, it looks like our wish has come true.
Schwarzenegger is now in talks for Hot Tub Time Machine director Steve Pink’s action comedy remake of The Toxic Avenger. Those unfamiliar with Lloyd Kaufman‘s original series may think the star is lining up a leading role, but instead he’ll be playing “the Exterminator,” a former black ops agent who trains our lead character to use his powers for good. Together they take on the lurking menace created by the polluters, and the polluters themselves.
While the lead has yet to be cast, he will be a high-school kid who gets dunked in a vat of toxic waste by a corrupt chemical company. He survives the ordeal with one major side effect: upon contact with toxic chemicals, he transforms into a monster with superhuman strength. Set for a fall production start, we’re intrigued to see Arnie take on something unexpected and check back for additional casting updates.
What do you think of Schwarzenegger joining this action comedy remake?