Mixed among the hundreds of fans who packed out Hollywood Boulevard, protesters over the sweeping redundancies in the bankrupt state held up signs addressed to the Governor of California, saying things like "State workers are not Expendable" and "Arnold - terrible actor, worse governor".
The Terminator star was rumoured to be in attendance but didn't walk the red carpet, unlike Bruce Willis who surprised fans by showing up at the last minute.
But the actor joked he wouldn't take on any of his fellow action stars in a real-life battle.
"I wouldn't do it, I'm scared to death that I have to go up and stand next to them right now!" he laughed, before heading in to introduce the film.
The A-lister admitted Sylvester Stallone hadn't needed to do much convincing to get him on board.
"He just asked and we're friends," he told reporters.
Mickey Rourke was also in good humour, joking how he'd had a miserable time working under the direction of Stallone.
"Terrible, terrible, he's a monster," he laughed.
Sylvester Stallone, who co-wrote, directs and stars, teased he'd struggled to bring the shoot under control in New Orleans. "It was a nightmare, I didn't sleep for days!" he laughed.