Schwarzenegger may play sheriff in crime thriller

LOS ANGELES – Arnold Schwarzenegger might have found his big-screen comeback.

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger poses during the photocall of the animated tv series "The Governator" during the yearly MIPTV, the International Television Programs Market, in Cannes, southeastern France, April 4, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

Sources say the actor-turned-governor-turned-returning actor is in advanced negotiations to play a bordertown sheriff in an indie crime thriller titled "The Last Stand." The talks could still fall apart over money issues.

The story is set in motion when a cartel leader breaks out of a courthouse and speeds to the Mexican border. The only thing standing in his way is the sheriff and his inexperienced staff.

The project will be directed for Lionsgate by Jee-Woon Kim, the filmmaker behind the Korean movie "The Good, The Bad, The Weird." The studio hopes to begin shooting in August.

Schwarzenegger's reps at Creative Artists Agency could not confirm the dealmaking and Lionsgate had no comment. The news of Schwarzenegger's involvement first surfaced in Poland and was followed by fan sites in the US.

Schwarzenegger has been courted for over a dozen projects since he officially finished his seven-year term as California governor in January. The World War II action project "With Wings Eagles" and sequels and remakes to "Predator" and "Marathon Man" are some of the titles that have surfaced.

Schwarzenegger last appeared on screen in a brief cameo in 2010's hit action film "The Expendables." His last starring gig was 2003's "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines."