The Next Action Star? Joseph Baena's 5 Must-Watch Movies And His Blockbuster 2024-2025 Slate
Joseph Baena is rapidly carving out his own path in Hollywood, moving beyond his initial fame as Arnold Schwarzenegger's son to become a legitimate, working actor. As of this current date, December 25, 2025, Baena's filmography is expanding with a slate of high-profile action and drama projects that are set to define his career over the next two years, notably the 2024 action thriller Gunner and the highly anticipated 2025 baseball film The Changed Up Kid.
The transition from a real estate agent and dedicated bodybuilder to a full-time film star has been deliberate and intense, with Baena embracing roles that often require the physical prowess he has cultivated. His commitment to the craft, combined with a striking resemblance to his father’s younger self, has made him one of the most intriguing emerging talents to watch in the action genre and beyond.
Joseph Baena: Biography and Career Profile
Joseph Baena has pursued a multifaceted career that spans acting, fitness, and real estate, consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic and a clear ambition to succeed on his own terms. His life and career trajectory are a testament to his dedication to building a personal brand separate from his famous parentage.
- Full Name: Joseph Baena
- Born: October 2, 1997
- Age (as of 2025): 28
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Parents: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Father) and Mildred Patricia Baena (Mother)
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Education: Graduated from Pepperdine University in 2019 with a degree in business administration.
- Notable Occupations: Actor, Professional Bodybuilder, Fitness Model, Real Estate Agent (licensed in California).
- Public Appearances: Competitor on *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS) Season 31.
- Career Start: Began pursuing acting and bodybuilding seriously in the mid-2010s.
The Expanding Filmography: Joseph Baena's Confirmed Movies and Roles
Baena's early career saw him take on a variety of roles, often in independent films, to hone his acting skills. However, his recent projects are significantly larger in scope, positioning him as a serious contender in the action film space, a genre deeply familiar to his family legacy. These films are critical to understanding the direction of his acting career.
Blockbuster 2024-2025 Slate: Action and Drama
Baena's focus has shifted heavily toward major projects with established actors, showcasing his versatility and physical capabilities. These upcoming titles are the ones generating the most buzz among industry insiders and fans alike.
- Gunner (2024)
This high-octane action thriller is arguably Baena's biggest role to date. He stars alongside Hollywood veterans like Morgan Freeman and Luke Hemsworth, which provides a significant platform for his action star aspirations.
Role: Wally (A Young Deputy Sheriff)
Plot Details: The film centers on Special Forces veteran Lee Gunner (Luke Hemsworth) who must go to extreme lengths to rescue his kidnapped sons from a dangerous drug gang. Baena's role as a young deputy sheriff suggests a supporting but crucial part in the intense rescue mission.
- The Changed Up Kid (2025)
Confirmed for a 2025 release, this project marks a departure from pure action, leaning into a baseball-themed drama. This demonstrates Baena’s intention to explore diverse genres and avoid being typecast solely as an action hero.
- Lava (Upcoming)
Baena has been actively filming for this project in Hawaii. The film has garnered attention for a unique reason: it is touted as the world's first fully crypto-funded movie (Bitflix’s *Lava*). While plot details are scarce, behind-the-scenes images shared by Baena often highlight his impressive physique, suggesting a physically demanding role.
Other Key Film and TV Appearances
To fully appreciate his journey, it is important to note the earlier projects that helped Baena build his resume and gain experience in front of the camera. These roles provided the foundational experience necessary for his current slate of films.
- Called to Duty: The Last Airshow (2023)
Role: Lt. Andrew 'Bells' Harris
This role allowed Baena to portray a military figure, a common entity in action and drama films, further showcasing his physical presence and discipline.
- Bully High (2022)
Role: Eddie (School President)
A notable early appearance, *Bully High* is a drama that addresses important social issues, allowing Baena to tackle a more character-driven role as the school president.
- Chariot (Release Year Varies)
A film that is often listed in his early filmography, showing his dedication to taking on various projects to learn the craft.
- Athena Saves Christmas (Release Year Varies)
A holiday-themed project that adds another dimension to his growing list of genres.
The Baena Blueprint: Bodybuilding, Real Estate, and Legacy
Joseph Baena's career strategy involves more than just acting; it's a holistic approach that leverages his passion for fitness, his business acumen, and his family heritage. This multifaceted approach provides topical authority to his brand and ensures his relevance across multiple media platforms, including social media and reality television.
Following in the Footsteps of the Terminator
The most immediate comparison for Joseph Baena is, inevitably, his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Like his father, Baena is a dedicated bodybuilder, frequently sharing his intense training routines and physique updates on social media.
This dedication to fitness is not just a personal hobby; it's a strategic career move. Baena's muscular, 'classic physique' look is perfect for the action roles he is booking, drawing a clear parallel to the early career of the *Terminator* star. He is consciously building a brand that can handle physically demanding roles, creating a unique selling point in the competitive Hollywood landscape. He is often seen training at Gold's Gym, the very 'Mecca of Bodybuilding' where his father trained.
Beyond the Big Screen: DWTS and Real Estate
Baena has also expanded his public profile through reality television, participating in Season 31 of *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS). This exposure allowed him to connect with a wider audience and showcase his personality and discipline outside of the gym and film set.
Furthermore, his Pepperdine University business degree led him to a successful career as a licensed real estate agent in California. While acting is his primary focus, the real estate venture demonstrates his entrepreneurial spirit and provides a stable foundation as he navigates the unpredictable nature of the film industry.
Joseph Baena’s film career is accelerating, fueled by a combination of natural talent, intense physical training, and a strategic selection of roles. With major action films like *Gunner* (2024) and diverse projects like *The Changed Up Kid* (2025) on the horizon, he is successfully answering the curiosity surrounding whether he can build a legacy that stands on its own, distinct yet respectful of the legendary shadow cast by his father.
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