Every Actor Who Copied Liam Neeson's Taken Comeback - Ranked
6. Arnold Schwarzenegger - The Last Stand
Why The Actor Needed It: Arnold ruled the Hollywood action scene like no other during the 80s. Yet, as his career winded down in the early noughts, he segued straight into politics as the Governor of California.
After his tenure wrapped, Arnie was ready to return back to action movies. Yet, the world and the genre had changed since he left. The solution was to crack the mould...Neeson style!
Film In Question: While the film in question was a hardly a Taken clone, it was very much intended to appeal to the same audience, with Schwarzenegger stepping into the role of an elderly small-town Sheriff adamant on taking down a fugitive criminal.
The character was tailor-made for a Neeson type...so much so, Neeson was actually originally cast before he had to drop out due to scheduling.
Did It Work?: As a film - certainly.
Schwarzenegger brought a level of weathered depth lacking from his younger roles. Also, he hadn't missed a beat in portraying a badass, with this proving he could return to the big screen without missing a beat....except the movie flopped hard.
Schwarzenegger has continued in same novelty roles yet has hardly had the Neeson style resurrection he clearly earned here.