LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Arnold Schwarzenegger is back: the Terminator star has released a new action-packed trailer for his return to the franchise which made his name.

In the 34-second spot, unveiled on the actor-turned-politician's Twitter feed, he is shown in a typically breathless sequence escaping from custody and helping to "stop the end of the world."

The film, entitled Terminator Genisys is scheduled for release July 1 in the United States and was directed by Alan Taylor.

Schwarzenegger cemented his standing as a major Hollywood star with 1984's Terminator, and he still uses the "I'll be back" catchphrase to this day in public appearances.

He appeared in two Terminator sequels, in 1991 (Terminator: Judgment Day) and 2003 (Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines), but was not in 2009's Terminator Salvation, which starred Christian Bale and Sam Worthington.

The former champion bodybuilder went on to become one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood, before going into politics as governor of California from 2003 until 2011.