“Get in the helicopter.” “I’ll be back.”
I'll Be a Book
Arnold Schwarzenegger is in London to talk about his new book, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, which is getting support in unlikely places. The Guardian is not known for its love of Republican politicians, but concludes in its article: "A guide to improvement that actually works."
The Los Angeles Times was a little less enthusiastic, declaring: "The magazine is not pumping lots of iron”; while I admitted, "Have I practiced anything after reading the book?" You assume so."
And that's what Arnold hopes ("He prefers Arnold to Arnie," his bodyguard warned us before his arrival) for the book.
The seven chapters are: Work, don't think small and close your mouth, open your mind.
“The idea is to make people more efficient,” he explains.
"It was one of those things I never dreamed of: becoming a motivational speaker or writing motivational books, because when I grew up all I dreamed of was being the most muscular man in the world," said the seven-time Mr. Olympia and four-time Mr. Universe, adding, "And he starts acting and makes millions of dollars." »
It's 11am on a bright London morning and Arnold Schwarzenegger is a man who knows what people want. When I ask him if there are any actors on stage at the moment and the strike forces me to repeat his most famous slogans, he doesn't hold back.
The lines of the Predator and Terminator are reflected between the handlebars and racing machines.“Actors, the strike prohibits you from promoting your films, but I am not obliged to promote them,” he protests.
Even at the age of 76, Schwarzenegger is not someone you would discuss the fine print of the union with. This is where protest meets action heroes.
We're sitting on neighboring benches in the gym, recording an interview for BBC Breakfast at the Guardians' Personal Training Center on Parliament Hill Lido, and we have the place to ourselves. “It's better at the gym this morning than at Claridge's,” he enthuses enthusiastically, subtly letting me know that he's already worked out today.
My cameraman Peter has written Arnold Schwarzenegger on his buttonhole and turns to him worriedly: “Please tell me, did I spell your name correctly?”
I can confirm that even Arnold Schwarzenegger needs a full two seconds to spell it to check his name before he looks up and smiles: “Yes.”
A round of applause later and the interview can begin.
However, after two decades of box office hits, including Conan the Barbarian, Twins and True Lies,
, things changed. Suddenly he had “new dreams”; and “new goals” and I discovered this: “People really needed motivation and were looking to me for answers.” They admired what I had done and I saw it as an opportunity and a necessity, and that's how this book came about.
I ask him whether self-help is a bad word, and his answer reveals what he believes is a common misconception about it: “We need both to help ourselves, but also to get help from outside. I always hate it when people talk about it." He says to me: "You're the perfect description of a self-made man." »
"I hate him," he repeats a little louder.
“I don’t want anyone to think they can handle this situation alone.” We all need help.
Below is a long list of people without whose help and inspiration Schwarzenegger says he wouldn't have been able to achieve this goal. They range from Reg Park, a Leeds-born bodybuilder who starred in the 1960s Hercules films, to "5.8 million people who voted for me," referring to his two terms as Republican governor of California refers.
"In the book, I explain that we should all ask for help, and once you realize that, you will understand that you too need to help others."
Helping others is something Schwarzenegger has devoted himself to in recent times dedicated to thirty years; From his involvement with the Special Olympics to donating $1 million (£800,000) to frontline workers during the pandemic to hosting a poker dinner at Oktoberfest earlier this month that raised $7 million (£5 ) were collected.8m) as part of their extracurricular club program. The leather pants were sporty.
However, Schwarzenegger wants people to know that he too has been through some tough times.
“There were great failures and great losses”; He shares it and then details the bodybuilding competitions he was beaten at and the movies that blew up at the box office. (His worst acting nomination, for playing Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin, was a particularly low point in his career.)
“There were also personal losses, for example in my marriage”; – continues, showing a willingness to remain defenseless, which seemed unlikely given the fact that he killed 77 people in a climactic scene in “Commando.”
Be Useful does not contain details about extramarital affairs, including his nanny's pregnancy, which led to his divorce from John F. Kennedy's niece, Maria Shriver. He described all of this in his 2012 autobiography “Total Recall.” But he reveals how he managed to cope with a time that he describes in the book's introduction as "his world collapsing around him."
“You must be responsible for these mistakes.You can't blame anyone else. Take responsibility. Own it and learn from these mistakes. Then go back and become a better person.
Despite all his successes, Arnold Schwarzenegger is one person he will never be: President of the United States.
The Constitution of the United States provides that every person holding this office shall be a natural citizen. Schwarzenegger is originally from Thal, Austria, where he lived until he was 19.
I ask him how much the disqualification irritates him.
“I feel like I would be a great president,” he says, without showing the slightest doubt, and then continues: “But at the same time, I feel like everything I've accomplished in America I have, have to thank.”
“America gave me so many opportunities and the Americans were so open and welcomed me with open arms. There was no one to stop me.
"The one thing I can't do, which is run for president, I'm not going to complain about that."
Vice President Joseph Biden (right) speaks with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (California) (left) during a Event at the Eisenhower Office Building on October 30, 2009 in Washington, D.C.
It is clear that he has not completely given up hope of one day holding the highest office in the land: “I mean, okay, there is a constitution. To change this situation, we absolutely need immigration reform.But it would be a little selfish of me to try to change the law.
He's certainly not excited about the potential presidential election between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump next year. “I just hope America finds some real young blood”; He says.
“Because it seems a little strange to me that today we are fighting a battle between people from the late 70s and early 80s, and not between people from the 40s and 50s or maybe even younger who have a chance in this beautiful field. " , good job."
This is a Barbie
boy. Finally, it's clear that Schwarzenegger still loves the world of cinema and speaks enthusiastically about unspecified upcoming projects.
The last film he saw in the cinema was Barbie, which he describes as “brilliantly made”. I can imagine he would be in the running for the role of Ken if it were an '80s film. “There is a good character”; accepts enthusiastically.
I also wonder why the era of a big star who could only open a film with his name is over.Think Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Bruce Willis in the 80s.
"I hope my son-in-law Chris Pratt doesn't hear this," he laughs, because his daughter Katherine married the star of "Guardians of the Galaxy" and ""Jurassic" World."
"But you're right," that's right he to. “The stars that are emerging now are based much more on the name of the show. They became a big star because they directed Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, rather than directing the film themselves."
"Every 10, 20 years everything changes in the entertainment industry," he summarizes.
If anyone knows, it is Arnold Schwarzenegger who is saying goodbye and preparing for the show "An Evening With" at the Royal Albert Hall . The house is sold out and there is no doubt that he has understood what he wants from the assembled audience.
Once again his slogans will come out verbatim.
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