Kim Jee-woon directs Schwarzenegger in The Last Stand

That's right, Arnie is finally back in Hollywood doing his first leading role since Terminator 3 in 2003. From what I have seen/heard it will be a typical Schwarzenegger no nonsense action film. And who has directed it? None other than one of the best Korean directors Kim Jee-woon!

Jee-woon is one of the most appreciated and acclaimed directors in recent Korean cinema history. Not only has he shown his diversity with the wide variety of genres he can direct but he has also had a string of hits.

The Quiet Family.
A Tale of Two Sisters.
A Bittersweet Life.
The Good, the Bad, the Weird.
I Saw the Devil.

Yes. He directed all of these classic Korean films which really shows his versatility as a director.


Synopsis;
Sheriff Ray Owens(Schwarzenegger) is a man who has resigned himself to a life of fighting what little crime takes place in sleepy border town Sommerton Junction after leaving his LAPD post following a bungled operation that left him wracked with failure and defeat after his partner was crippled. After a spectacular escape from an FBI prisoner convoy, Gabriel Cortez(Eduardo Noriega), the most notorious, wanted drug kingpin in the hemisphere is hurtling toward the border at 200 mph in a specially outfitted car, a Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1, with a hostage and a fierce army of gang members. He is headed, it turns out, straight for Summerton Junction, where the whole of U.S. law enforcement will have their last opportunity to make a stand and intercept him before he slips across the border forever. At first reluctant to become involved, and then counted out because of the perceived ineptitude of his small town force, Owens ultimately accepts responsibility for the face off.

This might not sound like a typical film for Kim Jee-woon to choose as his first American production. But he has definitely shown his skills at directing brilliant action pieces with A Bittersweet Life and The Good, the Bad and the Weird. Jee-woon is possibly playing it safe, with this being Arnie's big return it is almost guaranteed to be a hit. And with a budget of $50 million it is sure to make a large profit, which will give Kim Jee-woon a lot more freedom with his next Hollywood outings.

If you still aren't excited yet then hopefully the fact Johnny Knoxville is co-starring will change that! I have always thought he is a decent actor and has buckets of on screen charisma! Plus he will provide comedy which can be a nice little break in between all the action.

Does this make anyone think of The Walking Tall 2?

The Last Stand sounds like it will be a lot of fun, a typical guys action film, and the trailer looks pretty bad ass! So check it out when it's released on 18th January(USA) and 25th January(UK). For a list of more release dates, click here.

And if you haven't seen the trailer, then check it out below;