Arnold Schwarzenegger to Reprise Iconic Role as King Conan

At 78, the legendary actor is determined to carve a body worthy of the throne for the long-awaited sequel.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of Arnold Schwarzenegger's muscular, veiny forearm, captured in dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting to convey the raw power and dedication of the legendary actor.At 78, Arnold Schwarzenegger's unwavering commitment to physical excellence is a testament to the enduring power of iconic screen roles.Columbus Today

At 78 years old, Arnold Schwarzenegger is still training hard at Gold's Gym in Venice, California, with the goal of reprising his iconic role as King Conan in a new sequel being developed by 20th Century Studios. Despite health issues like shoulder, knee, elbow, and heart troubles, Schwarzenegger's relentless drive and discipline are on full display as he prepares to bring the legendary barbarian character back to the big screen.

Why it matters

Schwarzenegger's determination to return to the Conan franchise at his advanced age defies conventional wisdom about how aging impacts even the most dedicated athletes. His unwavering commitment to physical excellence is a testament to the power of human will and the enduring appeal of iconic screen roles.

The details

The new King Conan film is being developed with Christopher McQuarrie attached to write and direct, aiming to deliver a more faithful and muscular finale to the franchise after the 2011 reboot failed to capture the mythic heft of the original films. Schwarzenegger first embodied the Conan character in 1982 and 1984, and revisiting the role is seen as a chance to end the saga on the right note and prove that some legends never fade.

  • Schwarzenegger, now 78 years old, is still training hard at the original Gold's Gym in Venice, California.
  • The new King Conan film is currently in development at 20th Century Studios.

The players

Arnold Schwarzenegger

A legendary actor known for his iconic roles, including Conan the Barbarian, who is now 78 years old and determined to reprise the role of King Conan.

Christopher McQuarrie

The writer and director attached to the new King Conan film, aiming to deliver a more faithful and muscular finale to the franchise.

Robert E. Howard

The author whose pulp fiction character of Conan the Barbarian is the basis for the iconic film franchise.

Jason Momoa

The actor who starred in the 2011 reboot of the Conan the Barbarian franchise, which failed to capture the mythic heft of the original films.

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What’s next

The development of the new King Conan film at 20th Century Studios will be closely watched by fans of the franchise, who are eager to see Schwarzenegger return to the iconic role.

The takeaway

Arnold Schwarzenegger's determination to reprise his role as King Conan at the age of 78 is a testament to the power of human will and the enduring appeal of iconic screen characters. If the new film delivers, it could be both a franchise capstone and a personal triumph, proving that some legends never fade.