Going Against The Odds: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Accent and Super Bowl Ad
Arnold Schwarzenegger: More than Just a Leading Man
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a man of many talents, from being crowned Mr. Universe to serving as the governor of California. However, one of the most significant titles he holds is that of a successful box office star. Yet, achieving this status did not come without its challenges. For years, Schwarzenegger was told that he would never be a leading man in Hollywood due to his distinctive accent. However, he has defied all odds and proven the skeptics wrong. Now, he is featured in a hilarious Super Bowl commercial for State Farm where he embraces and jokes about his accent.
The Mysterious Super Bowl Commercial
In a recent interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Schwarzenegger spoke about the commercial and his decision to participate. He explained that he doesn’t simply do any commercial for the money, stating, “It has to be organic.” Despite having plenty of money, Schwarzenegger felt compelled to join forces with State Farm for this particular ad due to its unique approach.
The 90-second extended commercial, titled “Like A Good Neighbaaa,” playfully mocks Schwarzenegger’s accent as he tries to deliver State Farm’s tagline, “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” Schwarzenegger, with a nod to his decades-long career in the industry, shared that it was in the 1970s when people expressed doubts about him becoming a leading man due to his accent. Critics believed that Americans preferred action stars who sounded like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. However, Schwarzenegger has proven them wrong time and time again. He found success with his unique pronunciation, and this commercial embraces his distinctive way of speaking, causing him to burst into laughter when he first read the script.
An Evolving Era of Action Stars
Schwarzenegger, who dominated the action genre for years, has witnessed significant changes over time. When asked to reflect on the current state of action stars, he expressed immense pride. According to him, there has been a noticeable shift in audience expectations regarding the appearance of action stars.
In the ’80s, Schwarzenegger, alongside Sylvester Stallone and Jean-Claude Van Damme, redefined the perception of action stars. Audiences began to expect their action heroes to possess a particular look and physique. Schwarzenegger believes this remains true today.
He points out that actors like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jason Momoa, and Alan Ritchson in “Reacher” exemplify the enormous physicality modern action stars possess. Schwarzenegger humorously recalls that during his time as “Conan,” they couldn’t even find a stunt double to match his size. Now, times have changed, and these actors have taken action stars to a whole new level.
Acknowledging the New Wave
Schwarzenegger gives credit where credit is due and commends the new generation of action stars. Not only do they look the part, but their acting skills and fight scenes are also impressive. He specifically praises Jason Momoa, confessing that he would love to work with him and even meet him, as their paths have never crossed before.
Momoa’s talent, popularity, and collaborative nature have earned him a top spot among the greatest action stars of today. Schwarzenegger admires Momoa’s project choices and believes he has become an iconic figure in the genre.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Still an Action Hero
Despite the passing of time, Schwarzenegger’s action-packed days are far from over. His participation in the Super Bowl commercial confirms that he still enjoys taking on larger-than-life roles. The appeal of doing a big action movie with explosions and thrilling sequences resonated with the actor, highlighting his ongoing passion for the genre.
Super Bowl Loyalties
As a resident of California, Schwarzenegger faced an intriguing dilemma when it comes to rooting for his fellow State Farm spokespersons, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, who play for the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. However, Schwarzenegger playfully claims that he is never “forced to do anything.” He hints that a part of him might lean towards supporting the San Francisco 49ers, a team hailing from his home state.
In Conclusion
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career has defied all odds. From being told he would never be a leading man due to his accent, to becoming one of the biggest action stars in history, he has proven that determination and talent can overcome any challenge. The new State Farm Super Bowl commercial exemplifies his ability to embrace his unique attributes and infuse humor into the situation. Schwarzenegger’s story serves as an inspiration to those facing adversity and highlights the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of criticism.
