Arnold Schwarzenegger Securing Deal for 'Cry Macho'

After eying several roles for his acting comeback, Arnold Schwarzenegger is negotiating to star in a film titledCry Machowith Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer) on board to direct. Al Ruddy, who producedThe GodfatherandMillion Dollar Babyis overseeing the project.

Based on the 1975 novel and its screenplay adaptation by the late N. Richard Nash, the film would require 63-year-old Schwarzenegger to show considerably more dramatic chops than the movies he starred in before he became the Governor of California, likeTerminator 3: Rise of the Machinesand the forgettable revenge thriller Collateral Damage.

Schwarzenegger would play a horse trainer who wins the Kentucky Derby but slips into an alcoholic depression after the death of his wife and child. In exchange for some much-needed cash, his character agrees to kidnap the 11-year-old son of a hedge fund manager from the man’s rich, Mexico-based ex-wife. Schwarzenegger was attached to star in the movie years ago, but his political ambitions put the plans on hold. The film also attracted Clint Eastwood for the lead at one point, long before he retired from acting to focus on his directorial career.

Deadlinereports the deal is worth $10 million up front for Schwarzenegger, who famously didn’t accept a salary as governor, plus 25% of the first dollar gross. That’s a far cry from the $25-30 million he commanded in his action hero heydey, but Arnold’s been absent from films for eight years and dramatic acting… well, it’s never been his strong suit.

Schwarzenegger is also attached to acirculating package forTerminator 5(or, if you prefer its working title, Terminator 2012), along withFast Fivedirector Justin Lin.Latino Reviewhas learned the“time travel back to present day” pitch has the“entire original cast” attached as well, which may include originalTerminatorhero Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton (who lent her voice toTerminator: Salvation) and, possibly,Terminator 2’s Edward Furlong.

Arnold is also considering a WWII drama titledWith Wings as Eagleshe has been wanting to make as far back as 1997, probablyThe Expendables 2with his friends and former business partners Sly Stallone and Bruce Willis, and a well-written thriller calledThe Last Standabout a small town sheriff’s resolve to stop an escaped felon from reaching the border. Though technically Schwarzengger already revealed his first post-gubanatorial project this month, the the laughable TV cartoon “The Governator” for kids, with the threat of an eventual feature version.

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