Arnold Schwarzenegger's return to acting after almost ten years will be as a sheriff in a western thriller.

The actor will star in The Last Stand, which sees Korean director Kim Ji-Woon make his English-language film debut.

It is Schwarzenegger's first major film role since he starred in Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines in 2003.

He quit acting after becoming Governor of California although he made a cameo in last year's The Expendables .

Just weeks ago, Schwarzenegger delayed any future film projects after it was revealed he had fathered a son with his housekeeper and split from wife Maria Shriver .

He had been due to make his Hollywood comeback in a £7.5m role as a horse breeder in big-budget movie Cry Macho.

But with that now on hold, the actor and former bodybuilder has taken on The Last Stand, which is thought to have a far lower budget.

It is believed studios will be watching closely to see whether he is still a box office draw.

In the film, Schwarzenegger will play a sheriff defending his town from a drug cartel boss.

Lionsgate, the studio behind the project, said the 63-year-old would "bring incredible magnetism" to the role.

Its president Joe Drake added: "In this film, the Sheriff Owens character grapples with some really tough stuff but ultimately triumphs and we knew he [Schwarzenegger] would truly elevate this high-octane ride."

I Saw The Devil director Ji-Woon had been in talks with Liam Neeson to play the lead.

He has described the concept of the film as "kind of a combination of Die Hard and High Noon."

Earlier this month, Shriver, who was married to Schwarzenegger for 25 years, filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. The couple have four children together.

Sky News