A Hollywood legend who happens to be the richest actor on the planet is set to finally return to the screen some six years after his last blockbuster came out
Liam McInerney Content Editor
06:12, 28 Dec 2025
The world’s richest actor starred in The Expendables(Image: Eric Charbonneau via Getty Images)
The world’s wealthiest actor, who last graced the silver screen in 2019, is finally set to make a comeback.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose fortune surpasses even that of fellow actors Tom Cruise and Dwayne Johnson, first made his name as a champion bodybuilder before transitioning into acting in the 1970s.
The 78-year-old former governor of California has had a glittering career, starring in numerous blockbuster hits including Terminator, Predator, Total Recall, Kindergarten Cop, and Jingle All the Way.
His iconic films have raked in more than $5.2 billion (around £3.8bn) at the box office, contributing to the A-lister’s staggering net worth of approximately $1.2bn (roughly £800m), as reported by Forbes.
Schwarzenegger’s most recent significant screen role was in Terminator: Dark Fate in 2019, but according to IMDB, he’s due to return to our screens soon… or is he?
Schwarzenegger at his last film premiere in Tokyo for Terminator: Dark Fate(Image: Getty)
The film, titled The Man with the Bag, features Schwarzenegger as Santa Claus, who must recruit a former thief, played by Alan Ritchson, after his magical bag is stolen.
Originally slated for streaming on Prime Video, the movie, penned by Allan Rice and directed by Adam Shankman, doesn’t yet have a confirmed release date.
Fans are left scratching their heads over when they can expect to see the film. In December 2024, Schwarzenegger teased the production to his 26.5 million followers.
He penned: “Santa Claus is coming to town! It is fantastic to be shooting The Man with the Bag with @alanritchson. Our director @adamshankman is one of the funniest directors I’ve worked with, New York City is an amazing host, working with @amazonmgmstudios is a joy, and I can’t wait to share all of this Christmas cheer with each and every one of you.”
Yet in recent days, supporters have revisited the announcement, with one querying: “Where is this movie???”
Another commented: “I’ve been looking forward to this film all year, just googled it as I’ve not seen it advertised anywhere to realise I’ve got another year to wait! I’m gutted.”
Schwarzenegger’s last Christmas film was Jingle All the Way (Image: Rex Features)
Whenever it eventually arrives in cinemas, it’ll be Schwarzenegger’s first Christmas flick since 1996, when he portrayed a dad hunting for the ideal present for his son in Jingle All the Way.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Forbes published a ranking of America’s wealthiest immigrants. Unsurprisingly, Elon Musk, who originated from South Africa before relocating to Canada, claimed the top spot.
Further down the rankings, at position 119, sat Schwarzenegger, who was born in Thal, Styria, Austria, back in 1947.
The Terminator legend was raised by a father who served as a Nazi officer and military policeman throughout World War II. He’s previously spoken candidly about growing up in a “very different world” as a youngster, describing how his mother Aurelia and father Gustav were “very strict”.
In a 2010 interview with Schwarzenegger.com, he revealed: “It’s true my parents were very strict and I think many times I’m very strict with my own children but not like it was when I grew up. Back then in Austria it was a very different world – if we did something bad or we disobeyed our parents, the rod was not spared.
“It was still the yardstick at school. You put your hands out there on the table and BANG!”.
Following his early success in weightlifting and powerlifting competitions during his younger years – a journey that earned him the prestigious titles of Mr Universe and Mr Olympia – he made his cinematic debut in 1970’s Hercules in New York, credited as Arnold Strong.
However, it wasn’t until 1984 when he secured his most iconic role, starring as the lead in James Cameron’s The Terminator.
And should his festive film receive a release in the near future, he truly will be back.
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