Arnold Schwarzenegger to Return as Conan the Barbarian in King Conan
Arnold Schwarzenegger is poised to revisit the role that cemented his status as an action icon: Conan the Barbarian. The actor announced over the weekend at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, that he’s developing a third film in the franchise, titled King Conan, more than four decades after the release of the original film.
The original Conan the Barbarian, adapted from the pulp novels of Robert E. Howard, catapulted Schwarzenegger to stardom. He portrayed the titular Cimmerian warrior on a quest for vengeance against the sorcerer Thulsa Doom, played by James Earl Jones. A sequel, Conan the Destroyer, followed in , but plans for a third installment stalled in the late .
This new iteration, according to Schwarzenegger, will see Conan grappling with the realities of aging and a kingdom lost. “It’s a great story,” he said, describing a narrative where Conan, after on the throne, finds himself “complacent” and ultimately forced into exile. “Then there’s conflict, of course, and then he somehow comes back, and then there’s all kinds of madness and violence and magic and creatures.”
The project is being spearheaded by director Christopher McQuarrie, best known for his work on the recent Mission: Impossible films. McQuarrie’s involvement signals a potential shift in tone and scale for the franchise, leveraging modern special effects capabilities. Schwarzenegger noted the advancements in studio resources, stating, “Now, of course, you have all the special effects, and the studio system has plenty of money to make those movies really big.”
The path to this revival hasn’t been without its detours. A reboot starring Jason Momoa failed to resonate with critics or audiences, demonstrating the challenges of recapturing the magic of the original films. This new attempt, however, benefits from the return of the actor most synonymous with the character, and a director with a proven track record of delivering large-scale action spectacles.
Schwarzenegger’s return to Conan is part of a broader effort to revisit some of his most iconic roles. He similarly revealed plans to reprise his characters from Predator and Commando, signaling a wave of nostalgia-driven projects aimed at capitalizing on his enduring appeal. This strategy echoes a trend in Hollywood, where established franchises and beloved characters are being resurrected to tap into existing fan bases.
The actor’s recent forays into revisiting past successes have been met with mixed results. ’s Terminator: Dark Fate, which saw him reunite with Linda Hamilton, underperformed at the box office despite attempts to recapture the spirit of the earlier films in the series. However, the enduring interest in Schwarzenegger’s signature roles suggests a continued appetite for his presence on screen.
Beyond King Conan, Schwarzenegger has several other projects in development, including Kung Fury 2, a martial arts comedy co-starring Michael Fassbender, and The Man With the Bag, a holiday-themed film where he plays a Santa Claus whose sack is stolen. These projects demonstrate a willingness to explore diverse genres while maintaining his action-oriented persona.
The announcement of King Conan arrives at a time when the fantasy genre is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by the success of television series like House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. This renewed interest in epic storytelling and mythical worlds could provide a favorable environment for the film’s release. The project’s success will likely hinge on its ability to balance nostalgia for the original films with a fresh and compelling narrative that appeals to both longtime fans and a new generation of viewers.
While details regarding the film’s release date and studio backing remain undisclosed, the confirmation of Schwarzenegger and McQuarrie’s involvement marks a significant step forward for the long-awaited third installment. The return of Conan the Barbarian, guided by a seasoned director and led by the actor who defined the role, promises a potentially thrilling chapter in the saga of the Cimmerian warrior.