Rodriguez Explains Schwarzenegger's Absence From Predators

Rodriguez on working with Schwarzenegger and Lohan

Robert Rodriguez has blamed an "erratic schedule" for Arnold Schwarzenegger's absence from the new Predator movie - insisting film bosses were unable to find time to include a cameo from the original star.

The actionhorror franchise, which saw Schwarzenegger battling an evil alien in the jungle in the 1980s, has been rebooted with a new picture starring Adrien Brody.

Rodriguez, who acts as a producer on Predators, reveals he did want the actor-turned-politician to make an appearance, but the shooting schedulemade it impossible.

He says, "I had worked with Arnold on the original script back in the day and I had spoken with him about it... In my script he was the entire film and now he was Governor (of California) so I was like, 'I know we can't get him for the lead and I don't even think we can get him for a cameo.' We did entertain the idea of where could we place him but... we had such an erratic schedule, we never would have been able to pinpoint like you would need to with somebody in his position".

But Rodriguez hopes they might be able to re-introduce The Terminator star for the next Predator movie.

He adds, "If it's received well and people want a sequel maybe in the sequel we can maybe ask him for a cameo".

Elsewhere Rodriguez has lavished praise on troubled actress Lindsay Lohan - insisting she "lights up the screen" in his new movie Machete.

The Mean Girls star's career has taken a turn for the worse in recent years amid a slew of personal problems, including several drink-driving arrests, a brief stint in jail and a trip to rehab, and she was last seen onscreen in straight-to-TV movie Labor Pains in 2009.

Lohan is now preparing for a comeback with a role in Rodriguez's upcoming action film, and the director reveals the star put all of her troubles aside to devote herself to the job.

Rodriguez tells Access Hollywood, "(Lohan) was fantastic. I really love working with her. You just hear so much about people and their personal life that you start forgetting that they have a business life and they actually are a talented actress. And she was just a joy to watch on screen, she lights up the screen anytime you put the camera on her."