‘Conan the Barbarian’ Sequel ‘King Conan’ Moves Forward With Major Update from Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger has shared a major update on the long-awaited Conan the Barbarian sequel, King Conan, saying the project is now moving toward a possible production start in 2027. The actor made the comments while speaking to TheArnoldFans during the 44th anniversary celebration of the original 1982 film.

The sequel is being developed with filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie, best known for directing several Mission: Impossible movies. According to earlier reporting from The Hollywood Reporter, McQuarrie is attached to write and direct the new film for 20th Century Studios, with Schwarzenegger returning to his iconic role as Conan.

Schwarzenegger said the project has been something he has pushed for over many years. Speaking about its progress, he said, “Next year, we are going to do King Conan. So that is a reality now, and I am excited about it. For the last 10 years, I have been saying, ‘We should do King Conan and get a great script written… I want to have John Milius, the director of Conan 1, to be maybe the producer. So it will be really fantastic.’” The original Conan the Barbarian was directed by John Milius and released in 1982.

The actor also explained how this version of Conan would be different from earlier films. He said the story takes place decades after Conan becomes king, showing him older and less active than before.

“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’s the king, and he gets a little bit complacent. He’s tired of the job, and he wants to move on. Look at the movie by Clint Eastwood, Unforgiven. It will be a lot like that, but it will be with extraordinary battles,” Schwarzenegger said.

The Conan character first appeared on screen in Conan the Barbarian (1982), followed by Conan the Destroyer in 1984. Schwarzenegger did not return for the 2011 reboot starring Jason Momoa, which received mixed reactions from critics and fans.

Over the years, multiple attempts were made to continue Schwarzenegger’s version of the story. A planned sequel titled The Legend of Conan was once in development at Universal Pictures but was later dropped. Now, the project has returned under a new title, King Conan, with 20th Century Studios backing the film and McQuarrie attached as creative lead.

As things stand, King Conan is being positioned as a direct continuation of the original films, bringing Schwarzenegger back to one of his most famous roles after decades away from the character.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!