Arnold Schwarzenegger to Reprise Iconic Role as 'King Conan'

Mission Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie tapped to write and direct the long-awaited sequel.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Arnold Schwarzenegger has confirmed that a new 'King Conan' movie is in the works, with acclaimed director Christopher McQuarrie attached to write and direct the project. The film will see the 78-year-old actor return to his iconic role as the aging Conan, who has ruled as king for decades but has grown complacent, only to be forced out of his kingdom. Schwarzenegger teased the film's plot, promising 'conflict, of course, and then he somehow comes back, and then there's all kinds of madness and violence and magic and creatures.'

Why it matters

The original 'Conan the Barbarian' film from 1982 is considered one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakthrough roles, launching him to stardom. Fans have long clamored for a true sequel that would bring the character full circle, with Schwarzenegger now in his later years taking on the role of an older, wiser Conan. The involvement of Christopher McQuarrie, director of the last four 'Mission: Impossible' films, also has fans excited about the potential for an action-packed, high-quality sequel.

The details

According to reports, the new 'King Conan' film will see Schwarzenegger's character as a 40-year veteran of the throne, having grown complacent in his rule. He is then 'forced out of the kingdom' and must somehow find his way back, leading to 'conflict' and 'madness and violence and magic and creatures.' The film is based on the 'King Conan' anthology of stories by Robert E. Howard, though the specific plot details remain under wraps.

  • The original 'Conan the Barbarian' film was released in 1982, when Schwarzenegger was 35 years old.
  • A sequel, 'Conan the Destroyer', was released in 1984.

The players

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The iconic action star who rose to fame in the 1980s and is set to reprise his role as Conan in the upcoming sequel.

Christopher McQuarrie

The acclaimed director who has helmed the last four 'Mission: Impossible' films and has been tapped to write and direct the new 'King Conan' movie.

Robert E. Howard

The author whose 'King Conan' anthology of stories is the basis for the upcoming film.

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What they’re saying

“It's a great story where Conan was 40 years king…and he gets complacent, and he gets forced out of the kingdom, slowly. Then there's conflict, of course, and then he somehow comes back, and then there's all kinds of madness and violence and magic and creatures.”

— Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Arnold Fans)

What’s next

With the director and star now attached, the next step will be for McQuarrie to begin writing the screenplay for 'King Conan.' Production timelines and a release date have not yet been announced.

The takeaway

The return of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the iconic Conan the Barbarian, coupled with the involvement of acclaimed director Christopher McQuarrie, has fans of the franchise eagerly anticipating what promises to be an action-packed and thrilling sequel that will bring the character's story full circle.