By NATALIE ROTMAN
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn't think there's a parallel between film and real-world gun violence.
The
65-year-old former governor of California returns to the big screen
Friday as the sheriff of an Arizona border town tasked with stopping a
Mexican cartel boss from returning to Mexico. It marks his first leading
role since serving as The Governator for six years.
"I
personally feel that this is entertainment," said Schwarzenegger. "The
other thing is a serious real life tragedy. I think that we are going to
continue doing entertainment. That is what we are doing as our
profession, but at the same time, we all have a responsibility, I think,
to improve the situation that we are in."
Schwarzenegger
noted it's important not to stigmatize mental illnesses. He also cited
parenting, education, security and gun laws as contributing factors to
the issue of gun violence.
"We as a society have the responsibility to look at this and leave no stone unturned," he said.
Despite
returning to moviemaking with "The Last Stand" and last year's "The
Expendables 2," Schwarzenegger still wants to keep a toe in the
political pool. He launched a think tank last year at the University of
Southern California, the Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global
Policy. He hopes to work on reforming immigration, energy and
environmental policies.
"Those things needs to
be addressed - and even the budget deficit," said Schwarzenegger. "How
do you stop spending $1.3 trillion more than we are taking in? What do
we do about it? All of those things I think were a failure, so our
institute will address all those issues and study it. I will be involved
with that, but I am not sitting in Sacramento. I am, in the meantime,
sitting in Hollywood and continuing in the movie business."
Schwarzenegger
said his smaller part in "Expendables 2" prepared him for his starring
role in "Last Stand," which also features Johnny Knoxville. He'll next
be seen alongside Sylvester Stallone in "The Tomb" set for release later
this year.
"I feel I have a bigger range,
acting-wise," said Schwarzenegger. "It could be because of the age. It
could be because of my experience that I have had now as governor."
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Online: http://thelaststandfilm.com
Copyright 2013 Associated Press modified.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
