Arnold Schwarzenegger to Return as Conan the Barbarian in ‘King Conan’

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to reprise his iconic role as Conan the Barbarian in a modern film titled King Conan, with Christopher McQuarrie attached to write and direct. The project, announced by Schwarzenegger at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, marks a significant step towards a long-awaited continuation of the franchise.

A King Forced From His Throne

According to Schwarzenegger, King Conan will depict the character forty years after assuming the throne, facing conflict and ultimately fighting to reclaim his kingdom. “With King Conan, it’s a great old story that Conan was 40 years as king, and now he gets forced out of the kingdom, and there’s conflict, of course, but somehow he comes back, and there’s all kinds of madness, violence, magic, and creatures and stuff like that,” Schwarzenegger stated as reported by Deadline.

Christopher McQuarrie at the Helm

Christopher McQuarrie, known for his operate on the recent Mission: Impossible films and Top Gun: Maverick, will be writing and directing the film. Schwarzenegger highlighted McQuarrie’s experience with legacy sequels as a key factor in the project’s development according to the New York Daily News. McQuarrie is reportedly tailoring the role to Schwarzenegger’s current age, ensuring the character’s strength and action sequences remain central to the narrative.

Beyond Conan: Potential Returns to ‘Predator’ and ‘Commando’

Schwarzenegger also revealed discussions are underway for potential sequels to other classic action films, including Predator and Commando. He mentioned conversations with the studio about revisiting his role as Dutch in a new Predator installment as noted by People, and a script for a Commando sequel is reportedly on the table.

A Resurgence of Action Icons

The actor jokingly remarked that 20th Century Studios seems to have “rediscovered” his continued presence and appeal. The studio, owned by Disney, is reportedly prepared to invest significantly in the projects, leveraging modern special effects to enhance the action and spectacle as Gizmodo reports.

Looking Ahead

While McQuarrie’s involvement hasn’t been officially confirmed by the studio, the momentum behind King Conan and the potential for sequels to Predator and Commando signals a renewed interest in revisiting iconic action franchises with their original stars. With Schwarzenegger approaching his 78th birthday, the studio is likely eager to move forward with these projects, capitalizing on the enduring appeal of the action legend.