Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to return to one of his most iconic roles more than four decades after first stepping into it. After speculation first began back in March, the actor has now confirmed that a sequel to Conan the Barbarian is officially moving forward, with production expected to begin in 2027.
Schwarzenegger first played the character in Conan the Barbarian in 1982, followed by Conan the Destroyer in 1984. The role helped define his early career and remains a fan favorite to this day. Now at age 78, the actor says the new film, simply titled King Conan (a call back to the original Marvel Comics series), will reflect both the passage of time and the reality of an aging warrior.
He described the story as focusing on a version of Conan who has ruled for decades and is no longer in peak condition. “The movie wouldn’t have worked after I did the first Conan because the whole idea of King Conan is that for 40 years he has been king, he is older now,” Schwarzenegger said. “He is no longer in the shape he was from his heyday and now people are trying to take him out. He’s the king and he gets a little bit complacent. He’s tired of the job and he wants to move on.”
He added that the tone will draw inspiration from Unforgiven, the Clint Eastwood western known for its aging gunslinger narrative, but with large-scale fantasy battles. Another film it might be able to emulate is Logan which drew inspiration from an aged, future Wolverine storyline. This approach signals a shift from pure action toward a more reflective story, while still leaning into the franchise’s violent roots.
Producer Fredrik Malmberg of Conan Properties International confirmed that a deal has been reached with Twentieth Century Fox and Schwarzenegger to move the project forward. Director Christopher McQuarrie, known for his work on the Mission: Impossible franchise, is attached to lead the film.
Schwarzenegger said the project has been in development for years and stressed the importance of getting the tone right. He pointed to the influence of original Conan the Barbarian director John Milius, as well as the artwork of Frank Frazetta and the writing of Robert E. Howard, as key creative pillars.
“Next year we are going to do King Conan. So that is a reality now and I am excited about it,” Schwarzenegger said. “For the last ten years I have been saying we should do King Conan, and we should get a great script written, get someone who really understands Robert E. Howard.”
The move comes as Hollywood continues to rely on legacy franchises to draw audiences in a crowded and uncertain box office environment. Studios have leaned heavily on established intellectual property as newer titles struggle to break through. Will the timing be right for this attempt, or is nostalgia starting to grow stale for moviegoers?
Schwarzenegger is also eyeing additional returns to past roles, with early discussions underway for projects tied to Predator and Commando. The push suggests a broader effort to revive proven brands with recognizable stars, even as the industry faces ongoing questions about long-term sustainability.
***
English (US) · 