Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to return as Conan in King Conan, with Christopher McQuarrie reported to write and direct. Schwarzenegger has described an age-appropriate story about a king forced from his kingdom after 40 years on the throne. The project’s timing remains unconfirmed: March 2026 coverage placed it in early development, while El País reported in September that it was in pre-production.
What is confirmed about King Conan?
TheWrap reported on March 9, 2026, that King Conan was in early stages at 20th Century Studios, with Schwarzenegger returning and McQuarrie attached to write and direct. TheWrap’s report is the clearest account of those attachments.
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Variety reported Schwarzenegger’s announcement the previous day and inferred that the writer-director he described was McQuarrie; it said it had contacted representatives for comment. Variety’s account should therefore be read as an inference about McQuarrie, rather than as an independently confirmed statement from the filmmaker or studio.
In September 2026, El País described the film as being in pre-production and McQuarrie as at its helm. That is a later press characterization, not a dated production announcement from the studio. El País reported the project was in pre-production.
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What is the story supposed to be about?
Schwarzenegger has outlined a story in which Conan has ruled for 40 years, is gradually pushed out of his kingdom, and eventually returns amid conflict. He also mentioned violence, magic, and creatures. This is Schwarzenegger’s public description of the idea, not a confirmed final synopsis.
At the Arnold Sports Festival, 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.” TheWrap attributed the remark to Schwarzenegger on stage. TheWrap also reported his outline of the premise.
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How does it connect to the earlier Conan films?
TheWrap describes King Conan as a follow-up to 1982’s Conan the Barbarian. Schwarzenegger also played Conan in 1984’s Conan the Destroyer. The new project is thus framed as a continuation of the film character, rather than an announced adaptation of a particular Robert E. Howard story.
Howard created Conan in 1932 in the pages of Weird Tales, according to TheWrap. The publication also notes earlier efforts to make a King Conan film, including The Legend of Conan, announced in 2012. The reviewed reports do not establish that the current screenplay adapts any specific Howard story.
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- 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.
When will King Conan film or come out?
The reports reviewed here give no confirmed filming start date or release date. The March description of early development and El País’s September pre-production characterization indicate reported project status at different points, but neither supplies a firm schedule. Treat specific dates circulating elsewhere as speculation unless a studio or a reliable later report confirms them.
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- 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.
What remains unknown?
- A confirmed production start and release date.
- A final synopsis beyond Schwarzenegger’s broad description of the premise.
- Additional cast members or a specific Robert E. Howard story serving as the screenplay source.
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