Arnold Schwarzenegger to Play Hitman in Taran Killam’s Directorial Debut

The “Saturday Night Live” funnyman is also writing, producing and co-starring in “Why We’re Killing Gunther”

Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to star in Taran Killam‘s directorial debut “Why We’re Killing Gunther,” an action-comedy set in the world of international assassins that MadRiver Pictures will begin shopping to foreign buyers at the Cannes Film Market, TheWrap has learned.

Killam has enlisted his wife Cobie Smulders and “SNL” co-stars Bobby Moynihan and Paul Brittain to play supporting roles along with Kumail Nanjiani, Randall Park and Ryan Gaul.

Schwarzenegger will play the title character of Gunther, the world’s greatest hitman whose arrogance prompts his assassin colleagues to try to kill him, though he always manages to stay one step ahead of his less-talented peers.

Killam wrote the script and will not only co-star in the film, but also produce with Kim Leadford, Ash Sarohia and Steve Squillante. StarStream Media will finance the project, which is expected to start shooting in June during “SNL’s” summer hiatus. UTA is representing North American rights.

Schwarzenegger recently starred in “Terminator Genisys” and “Maggie.” He’s represented by CAA, while Killam and Smulders are repped by UTA. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news.

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