Arnold Schwarzenegger is officially returning to his iconic role as Conan the Barbarian, with Mission: Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie tapped to write and direct the upcoming King Conan. The news, confirmed by Schwarzenegger himself during the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, signals a major revival for the legendary fantasy franchise.
The Plot: A Fallen King’s Return
Addressing the crowd at the event, Schwarzenegger shed light on the film’s narrative direction. The story centers on a version of Conan who has reigned as king for 40 years. After becoming complacent, he is forced out of his kingdom, setting the stage for a journey filled with conflict, chaos, intense violence, and the return of the supernatural creatures and magic that defined the original series.
A Franchise Legend Reborn
The original Conan the Barbarian, released in 1982, served as the massive breakthrough role for a 35-year-old Schwarzenegger. Based on the works of Robert E. Howard, the film was co-written by Oliver Stone and directed by John Milius. While a sequel, Conan the Destroyer, followed in 1984, the franchise famously stalled for decades, with a planned third installment, Conan the Conqueror, eventually morphing into the unrelated 1997 film Kull the Conqueror.
Production Outlook and Future Rumors
While the title King Conan draws inspiration from Howard’s anthology of stories, it remains unclear how closely the script will adhere to the source material. Beyond the confirmation of McQuarrie—who has helmed the last four Mission: Impossible blockbusters—there is no official production timeline yet.
The festival also sparked speculation regarding other potential projects for the 78-year-old star. Reports suggest Schwarzenegger may be eyeing a return to the Predator franchise under the direction of Dan Trachtenberg, following the director’s recent success in revitalizing the series. While rumors of a Commando 2 also circulated during the event, industry observers remain significantly more skeptical about the feasibility of that particular sequel.
