Movie, real violence unrelated, says Schwarzenegger NATALIE ROTMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.— Arnold Schwarzenegger doesn’t think there’s a parallel between film and realworld gun violence.

The 65-year-old former governor of California returned to the big screen Friday in The Last Stand as the sheriff of an Arizona border town tasked with stopping a Mexican cartel boss from returning to Mexico. It marks his first leading role since serving as The Governator for six years.

“I feel that this is entertainment,” said Schwarzenegger. “The other thing is a serious real-life tragedy. I think that we are going to continue doing entertainment. That is what we are doing as our profession, but at the same time, we all have a responsibility, I think, to improve the situation that we are in.”

Schwarzenegger noted it’s important not to stigmatize mental illnesses. He also cited parenting, education, security and gun laws as contributing factors to the issue of gun violence. “We as a society have the responsibility to look at this and leave no stone unturned,” he said.

Schwarzenegger said his smaller part in last year’s Expendables 2 prepared him for his starring role in

Last Stand, which also features Johnny Knoxville. He’ll next be seen alongside Sylvester Stallone in

The Tomb, set for release later this year.

“I feel I have a bigger range, actingwise,” said Schwarzenegger. “It could be because of the age. It could be because of my experience that I have had now as governor.”