Showtime has picked up Canadian writer-producer Michael Konyves’ pilot Pump, which is executive produced by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Terminator actor is also attached to star in the drama about the early days of the California body-building craze.

Also on board are The Tannenbaum Co.’s Eric and Kim Tannenbaum (Two and a Half Men).

Konyves, (pictured) whose scriptwriting credits include 2010’s Barney’s Version and the yet to be released The Last Nights staring Morgan Freeman and Clive Owen, created the idea and brought it to The Tannenbaum Co., with whom he has a deal along with CBS TV Studios.

Eric then brought in Schwarzenegger, Konyves tells Playback.

The plot revolves around Pump, a massive gym found on Los Angeles.

If the pilot is picked up to series, the former California governor is set to remain in his on-screen role. As is well known, Schwarzenegger played a key part in the growth of body-building’s popularity, first in California and then globally.

Konyves splits his time between Montreal and Los Angeles. He is repped in Canada by Great North Artists Management.