A sultan who would be governor

He leers. He drinks. He’s surrounded by scantily clad dancing girls.

And then Arnold Schwarzenegger hops into a hot tub and makes unwanted advances toward a fetching young woman seated next to him.

Unwelcome publicity for the man who fended off groping allegations and became California’s governor? Not quite. It’s Schwarzenegger’s post-gubernatorial return to the big screen: an attention-grabbing cameo as a rakish Turkish potentate in the $110-million adventure-comedy “Around the World in 80 Days,” starring Jackie Chan. Disney, which bought the North American distribution rights from billionaire Philip Anschutz, will release the film June 16.

Schwarzenegger filmed his scenes last June -- before he announced his intention to run for governor -- in Germany’s Sanssouci Palace, which was transformed for the movie into a Turkish pleasure den.

Directed by Frank Coraci, the comedy is based very loosely on the Jules Verne novel.

As Prince Hapi, Schwarzenegger plays a vain, bejeweled, silk-robed ruler who invites Phileas Fogg (British comic Steve Coogan) and his globetrotting friends into his opulent palace.

This is Schwarzenegger as his political handlers might prefer not to see him: visible wrinkles, unusual tan and shoulder-length hair that’s more “Roseanne Roseannadanna” than “Conan.”

Hal Lieberman, who produced the film with Bill Badalato, described Prince Hapi as a “lovable antagonist” and noted that Schwarzenegger took an active role in designing his character’s appearance, right down to the prince’s skin color and hairstyle. “He tried many looks for us,” the producer recalled.

The governor’s office declined to comment on the film.