March 13, 2026, 7:29 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Fans of the sword-wielding barbarian have something to look forward to. More than 40 years after his breakthrough, Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to reprise his role as Conan. 20th Century Studios is planning a new film titled “King Conan,” with Schwarzenegger slated for the lead role.
The Austrian gained international fame in 1982 with “Conan the Barbarian.” The fantasy film was based on stories by U.S. author Robert E. Howard and became a worldwide box office success. Two years later, “Conan the Destroyer” followed. Subsequent projects with Schwarzenegger did not materialize. In 2011, there was a reboot starring Jason Momoa, which failed to match the commercial success or critical acclaim of the original films.
Action Director Takes on “Conan”
As the U.S. industry report “The Hollywood Reporter” further explains, Christopher McQuarrie is set to write and direct the new Conan adventure. McQuarrie is known for his work on several “Mission: Impossible” films with Tom Cruise. The involvement of such a high-profile director with “King Conan” is drawing attention in Hollywood. There are no details yet on the start of filming, production, or release date. An official announcement from 20th Century Studios is also pending. The project is currently in development.
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Revisiting a Dream
For decades, there has been talk of a third “Conan” film with Schwarzenegger. Several attempts failed, partly due to rights issues surrounding the character. Schwarzenegger himself has repeatedly stated that he could imagine returning if the conditions were right. Whether a third film will actually hit the big screen remains to be seen–but the planning hasn’t been this concrete in years.
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“Predator” and “Commando” Comebacks Also Planned
Arnold Schwarzenegger discussed further possibilities for returning to his iconic roles. He confirmed Christopher McQuarrie’s involvement in “King Conan” and announced talks with director Dan Trachtenberg about returning to the “Predator” franchise. Trachtenberg revitalized the series with “Prey” and its sequel “Predator: Badlands.”
Additionally, Schwarzenegger mentioned that he has a script for “Commando 2.” In it, he would once again take on the role of Colonel John Matrix, which he originally portrayed in 1985. The action star humorously shared insights into the story of “King Conan”:
“It’s a great story where Conan has been king for 40 years, then he becomes arrogant, and now he’s slowly being ousted from the kingdom. Then, of course, there are conflicts, and he somehow comes back, and then there’s all sorts of madness, violence, magic, and creatures. Naturally, there are all the special effects, and the studio system has enough money to make these films really big. That’s why I’m excited about all these projects.”