Arnold and Patrick Schwarzenegger were featured in movies such as Nepo Babies, Nude Scenes and ‘Becoming the Greatest Star of All Time’

The ascent of one of the biggest scene-stealers of the season presents a difficult dilemma: how far does the apple fall from the tree? Patrick Schwarzenegger, who starred in Scream Queens and The Staircase, approaches his work very differently than his father. This year, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will appear on television in the films “FUBAR” and “Secret Level,” but he is most recognized for his roles in the blockbusters “True Lies,” “Twins,” and “Terminator.”. “”.

Saxon Ratliff, a raunchy and heartbroken golden boy in Mike White’s “The White Lotus,” was the character actor that Patrick played this season. It’s not really an Arnold moment. However, Patrick’s relentless work ethic and willingness to share what motivates him to achieve are all hallmarks of Schwarzenegger.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Variety would never have invited us to gather here and have this conversation a year ago. However, you went through the roof after releasing “The White Lotus.”. You really shocked me with the way you acted. You weren’t someone I knew. I was completely amazed. What are your thoughts on this outstanding achievement?

Patrick Schwarzenegger: Thank you, then. For me, this is a surreal moment because, despite our frequent conversations, we would never discuss acting for forty-five minutes. The number of people who get to see [my] work is one of the nicest things about being on the show; I’ve done a lot of shows that not many people have seen.

Arnold: These days, everyone in the gym approaches me and tells me, “Your son is amazing.”. Another person approaches me and declares, “I detested your son in the series.”. “”.

Patrick: The peculiar aspect was that.

“He was fantastic, but the character he played was so believable,” they said. “Hated him? What kind of a compliment is that?” Arnold asked. “.”.

Patrick: People’s strong attachment to your character is the most important lesson you’ve learned. Perhaps with “The Terminator,” but I’m not sure how much that happened to you during your career. In the initial weeks, I was approached by people who expressed their hatred for me. At the conclusion, they approached me and expressed their sympathy for me. It was quite unstable.

Arnold: An Austrian magazine I read featured a lengthy cover story about you and your amazing qualities. One of the quotes mentioned how hard it is to overcome this because you are Schwarzenegger. Tell me that, because the name Schwarzenegger always meant a lot to me. Shortly after, you started discussing [how] it could be a barrier.

Patrick: Certainly.

Arnold: Tell me about that.

Patrick: I have a variety of feelings about it. According to Mike White, it comes with baggage, the notion that having successful parents like you and Mom adds another layer of concern for what other people may think. If he cast me, Mike was concerned about what people would think. They did care about that, as evidenced by the comments that “you and Mom got me the role.”.

It took me a while to reach a point where I was less concerned about living in your shadow than I was about wanting to do it the way I believed I should do it. Earlier in my career, there were moments when I wondered if it made sense to go under an alias.

Arnold: Since I can now claim credit, I’m happy you kept the name. You joined a very select group of people, like Jamie Lee Curtis, who is, in my opinion, one of the greatest actors in history. The concept of nepotism can be eliminated if you demonstrate that you have the necessary skills.

Patrick: I recognize the amount of effort you and Mom have put forth over the years to provide me with the opportunities I have. Working hard is the most important piece of advice you gave us kids. I have attempted to uphold that.

I want to step back and ask: Have you ever tried out for a job before? When was the last time you did so?

Yes, once — for Lucille Ball, Arnold said. At Gold’s Gym, she called me. Naturally, I had no idea what reading for a film was.

Patrick: “Terminator” was at what point?

Arnold: “Terminator” was a huge breakthrough because I was working on the “Conan” films, and being a kid, this was exactly what I wanted. You wanted to pursue acting because you enjoy it, while I was drawn to it after watching Hercules on the big screen. As I began my training, I told myself, “I’m going to be Mr. Dot Universe, and my fame will get me into movies.”. “.”.

The first time I worked on a movie that wasn’t about muscles was “Terminator.”. They were wearing leather jackets and acting like a machine. Only the first scene featured nudity. However, I am speaking of nude.

Patrick: I completed it.

Arnold: It was unbelievable to me. “I am watching your show, and I am observing your protruding butt,” I told myself. Suddenly, I spot the weenie. This is crazy. What’s going on? Then I said to myself, “Hello, Arnold. Don’t whine because you did the same thing in Terminator and Conan. But the fact that you were so closely following me surprised me.

Patrick: Yes, exactly. The similarity between “Terminator” and “White Lotus,” I suppose, was that you were collaborating with one of the greatest directors of all time, James Cameron. Working with Mike, the author, director, and creator of “White Lotus,” was a blessing for me because he handles everything. James Cameron is the same, isn’t he?

Arnold: Collaborating with exceptional directors has always been a passion of mine. Michael White, like Jim Cameron, is an excellent writer and director. They have a very distinct idea.

Patrick: Such a strong opinion. It’s a special working relationship because Mike is also an actor. He writes everything and has strong opinions, but he also allows you to contribute your own ideas to the role. On the first day, you would always commit the entire script to memory.

Arnold: I have someone who reads the parts with me, and we practice and perform reps. I spent a month studying the script. Reps, reps, reps is what bodybuilding is all about. You improve with more repetitions. It’s from the old school as well. The Austrian filmmaker Billy Wilder would frequently remark, “I didn’t hire you to be interpreters.”. You were hired as actors by me. The former filmmakers were ardent supporters of the idea that “study your dialogue and hit the mark.”. “.”.

Patrick: Amazing.

Arnold: That’s how Jim Cameron is. “I don’t like the line ‘I’ll be back.’” I would say. I replied, “It’s just strange for a German to say, ‘I’ll be back.'” He asked, “What do you mean you don’t like the line?”. Why not simply state, “I’ll be back?”.

Wow, Patrick.

“Oh, you’re trying to tell me how to be a better writer, because I’m not telling you to be a better actor,” Arnold responds. Simply say, “I’ll be back.”. You can ask me to do ten takes if you’re feeling insecure about it. However, do not alter my writing. “”.

It’s really different, Patrick. Although Mike has a very specific style, there are times when he would simply shout out from behind the camera to switch things up or create new dialogue while we were in the middle of a scene. After we do a take, he will scratch his head and then reenact the entire scene.

Arnold: It is clear that your acting style differs from mine. I was really surprised when you began studying it. I used to tell your mother, “This kid is going to be a business genius,” whenever you were twelve years old. After that, he attended business school, where he developed a passion for the field.

Patrick: Nevertheless.

Arnold: I always thought, “Perhaps he enjoys doing both, just as I did.”. Additionally, he will be an actor and businessman. “.”.

Patrick: It’s always been your claim that your business has brought in far more money than your acting career. I’ve worked on my career gradually over the last ten years. I’ve taken on smaller roles, and it has grown. As you often say, “Go for No.”. 1. It’s the other way around for me.

But you secretly wouldn’t mind being the greatest star of all time, Arnold said. That’s not something you’re going to stop.

Patrick: I’m aware, no.

Arnold: Well, you’re there. despite the fact that we must proceed step by step. Bodybuilding has taught me that if I aim for Mr. Dot Austria, I won’t unintentionally become Mr. Dot Olympia.

Patrick: You must aim for the stars.

Arnold: Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson were the highest paid actors in America when I arrived, earning a million dollars each. I stated, “I must be involved in that.”. I eventually caught up to those guys after making $30 million per film.

Despite the fact that everyone says, “Arnold, it will never happen.”. Nobody will remember your name, Schnitzel or whatever it is, and you’re too famous now. The major stars of the 1970s were Dustin Hoffman, Al Pacino, and Woody Allen. They appear to be monsters, weighing 140 pounds, while you weigh 250. I felt demoralized; nothing was possible. However, I had a distinct image of myself at the top. That was all I was interested in. I then slowly made my way up that ladder.

Patrick: “Twins” was one of the films for which you received the lowest compensation. “.”.

Arnold: I didn’t get paid.

Patrick: A few weeks ago, Carrie Coon approached me and said, “Honey, you need to play a different role next because you’re doing a crap job and people think it’s real.”. No one would cast you in a comedy after you were typecast [in movies like “Terminator”).

They said, “Are you crazy? The more people this guy kills on-screen, the more money we make.” Arnold: Why would they? “Why would we change that?” was the conversation up until Danny DeVito and Ivan Reitman entered the picture.

However, no one would make it, said Patrick.

Arnold: So I said, “How about none of us three take any money? “We can shoot the film for $16–5 million if we don’t take any salaries.”. We reached an agreement whereby we would receive 40% of the film’s backend. It turned out to be our best transaction to date.

Patrick: After that, you performed in a number of other comedies.

Arnold: I could do almost anything at that point, with the exception of Shakespeare.

Patrick: Shakespeare would be fantastic.

Arnold: A number of the roles I was supposed to play were never completed because (a) I was only able to work on two films a year and (b) I ran for and won the governorship in 2003, which you guys remember.

Patrick: I detested it.

Arnold: The funniest thing ever. You approaching me and telling me, “Dad, we had a great time seeing you blow things up on the set. And right now.

Patrick: …The Capitol is our destination.

You were all rebelling, Arnold.

Patrick: When Aimee Lou [Wood] asked me, “Where did you first get interested in acting?” I replied, “Coming to a movie set with your dad was like heaven for a kid.”. You would come get me in your Hummer and drop me off at school early.

Arnold: “Don’t tell your mother,” I said. Education was under your mother’s jurisdiction.

Patrick: You would arrive early to pick me up, enter the trailer as Dad, and emerge as the Terminator or Mr. Dot Freeze. While you were taking breaks, we could go into craft services, grab some Red Vines, and then take the golf cart to the E. T. . ride.

Nepotism was discussed, but when you grow up and your parents work in a particular field, it makes sense for you to follow in their footsteps.

Arnold: You’ve never asked me to call an agent or a studio. In regards to acting itself, you never sought my advice. You are a unique individual, and I am incredibly proud of you.

BAUIE+RAD produced the show; Francisco Vargas designed the production.