Arnold Schwarzenegger is reviving 'Conan the Barbarian' with 'Mission: Impossible' filmmaker

Published: Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:24 pm

Schwarzenegger to Return as Conan in New Film

Hollywood is set to revisit the world of Conan the Barbarian, with Arnold Schwarzenegger reprising his iconic role in a new installment titled "King Conan." The film, confirmed by Entertainment Weekly, will be the third in the franchise, following the original 1982 film and its 1984 sequel.

Christopher McQuarrie, known for his work on the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, is slated to write and direct the film for 20th Century Studios. This project marks McQuarrie's first directorial effort outside of the "Mission: Impossible" series since 2012's "Jack Reacher."

The original "Conan the Barbarian," based on the writings of Robert E. Howard, launched Schwarzenegger's film career. The actor, speaking at the Arnold Sports Festival, described the new film's plot, which will see Conan as a king who is forced out of his kingdom, leading to conflict, violence, and the return of magic and creatures. Schwarzenegger also noted the advancements in special effects and the financial resources available to studios to create large-scale productions.

In related news, Schwarzenegger also mentioned discussions with Dan Tratchenberg about a potential return to the "Predator" universe. This comes as Sylvester Stallone has signed on to produce an upcoming "Rambo" prequel.

BNN's Perspective: The revival of classic franchises is a common trend in Hollywood, and the return of Schwarzenegger as Conan is likely to generate significant interest. While the success of such projects often hinges on the quality of the script and execution, the involvement of McQuarrie, a proven talent, offers a promising outlook. The film's potential to capitalize on modern special effects and the enduring appeal of the Conan character could make it a box office success.

Keywords: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Conan the Barbarian, King Conan, Christopher McQuarrie, 20th Century Studios, Robert E. Howard, John Milius, Oliver Stone, Arnold Sports Festival, Predator, Sylvester Stallone, Rambo

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