King Conan is moving forward as a project at 20th Century Studios, according to reports of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s remarks in March 2026. Christopher McQuarrie is attached to write and direct, and Schwarzenegger later described a plan to film in 2027. That is a reported target, not a studio-confirmed production schedule; no release date has been announced.
What is the King Conan update?
TheWrap reported on March 9, 2026, that King Conan was in early development at 20th Century Studios as a follow-up to the 1982 film, with Schwarzenegger returning. The next day, Schwarzenegger discussed the project at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, according to Variety and Austrian broadcaster ORF. These reports describe a project being developed—not a film that has begun production or a confirmed theatrical release.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Conan: The Complete Quest (Conan the Barbarian / Conan the Destroyer) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51F8RA6WyzL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Conan: The Complete Quest (Conan the Barbarian / Conan the Destroyer) [Blu-ray] | $10.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Conan the Barbarian [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51czZG0nugS._SL160_.jpg)
|
Conan the Barbarian [Blu-ray] | $3.61 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Conan the Barbarian (Two-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD) | $15.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Conan the Barbarian | $10.46 | Buy on Amazon |
For a franchise with a long history of follow-up plans, that distinction matters. TheWrap notes that The Legend of Conan was announced in 2012, with John Milius expected to return, before the project went through years of development and changing writers. The current announcement is a substantial update, but it does not by itself establish that filming has started.
Who is directing and writing King Conan?
Christopher McQuarrie is reported as the film’s writer-director. TheWrap named him in its March 9 report; ORF also reported that he would write and direct. Variety said Schwarzenegger described the filmmaker as the director of Tom Cruise’s recent films and indicated that he appeared to mean McQuarrie. McQuarrie is known for directing entries in the Mission: Impossible series, but the reports do not provide further details about the screenplay or production team.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
Will Arnold Schwarzenegger return as Conan?
Yes. TheWrap, Variety and ORF all reported Schwarzenegger’s involvement in the new project. He framed the role as one suited to his current age rather than a return to the younger warrior of the original film. As quoted by TheWrap, he said: “You write it age-appropriate. I’m still going to go in there and kick some ass, but it will be a bit different.”
What is the story of King Conan?
Schwarzenegger described a story in which Conan has ruled for 40 years, is gradually pushed out of his kingdom, faces conflict and returns. TheWrap quoted him saying: “With ‘King Conan,’ it’s a great story – he’s been the king for 40 years and gets kicked out of the kingdom slowly and there’s conflict and he comes back.”
Rank #2
- Factory sealed DVD
That is Schwarzenegger’s account of the premise, not a final plot synopsis issued by the studio. No full cast beyond Schwarzenegger, detailed story outline or screenplay information has been established in the cited reports.
When will King Conan film, and when could it be released?
In a May 18, 2026 report, ComingSoon quoted Schwarzenegger saying, “Next year we are going to do King Conan. So that is a reality now and I am excited about it.” That supports describing 2027 as the filming plan he stated in May 2026. It is not a studio-confirmed schedule, and the reports cited here do not confirm that production has since begun.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.
No firm release date has been announced. ComingSoon describes 2028 as a possible target, but that is speculation, not a dated theatrical launch. A filming plan alone cannot establish when the movie will be released.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the new film fit into the Conan franchise?
TheWrap frames King Conan as a follow-up to the 1982 Conan the Barbarian, the film that established Schwarzenegger as the screen version of the character. The franchise also includes 1984’s Conan the Destroyer and a 2011 Conan the Barbarian starring Jason Momoa, produced by Millennium Films and distributed by Lionsgate. The current reports do not specify how the new project treats every film released between the 1982 original and King Conan.
Rank #4
- A quest that begins as a personal vendetta for the fierce Cimmerian warrior soon turns into an epic battle against hulking rivals, horrific monsters, and impossible odds, as Conan realizes he is the only hope of saving the great nations of Hyboria from an encroaching reign of supernatural evil.
The character originated in stories by pulp author Robert E. Howard, first appearing in Weird Tales in 1932, according to TheWrap. Schwarzenegger also said he had spent years advocating for a script that understood Howard’s work and the artwork of Frank Frazetta. In remarks reported by ComingSoon, he floated John Milius—the director of the first film—as a possible producer; that comment does not establish Milius as attached to the current project.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
