Val Kilmer is set to be the new Governor of New Mexico.

The actor - who famously starred as the Caped Crusader in 'Batman Forever' in 1995 - is the favourite to replace current governor Bill Richardson when he steps down from the position in 2011.

Richardson said: "I like the idea. Val Kilmer is a New Mexican, he was Batman. You know there have been successful actors going into politics.

"I haven't talked to him about it, I don't know how serious he is, but you know if he jumps in a race he's got name ID, so it can't be discounted." Val wouldn't be the only actor to move into politics. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been the Governor of California since 2003.

Arnie recently admitted he will have no regrets about leaving the acting industry when the fourth Terminator movie 'Terminator Salvation' is released next year.

The action hero, who appeared in the previous three sci-fi movies, said: "I've moved into other phases of my life. I moved on from bodybuilding into entertainment. Then I moved on from entertainment into a political life.

"Now this is the most exciting experience of my life. When this movie comes out, I won't be sitting there saying, 'Why can't I do that?' But I do hope it makes a lot of money and is very successful."