Entertainment news

Arnold Schwarzenegger teases return to ‘Conan the Barbarian’: 'It’s a great old story'

Schwarzenegger will be returning to one of the key roles in his career

MARCH 11, 2026 1:47 PM EDTMAR 11, 2026, 1:47 PM EDT

Arnold Schwarzenegger will be returning to one of the roles of his career. The movie icon will be reprising one of his most famous and muscly parts in a new film from the "Conan the Barbarian" universe, with the project written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, known for helming some of the most profitable and critically acclaimed "Mission Impossible" films.

Bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger poses for a portrait on Venice Beach in August 1977 in Los Angeles — Schwarzenegger began his career in the US in the '70s

The news was shared by Deadline, revealing that Schwarzenegger and McQuarrie would be adapting the "King Conan" story, following an older version of Conan, the role Schwarzenegger first played in the early '80s.

In an appearance at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, Schwarzenegger discussed the film, appearing excited over it.

“With King Conan, it’s a great old story that Conan was forty years as King, and now he gets forced out of the kingdom, and there’s conflict, of course, but somehow he comes back, and there’s all kinds of madness, violence, magic, and creatures and stuff like that,” he said.

Schwarzenegger has portrayed many notable roles in Hollywood, but his performance as Conan laid the foundation for his path as one of the leading action figures in Hollywood and his involvement with some of the industry's major franchises.

More details about Schwarzenegger's 'Conan'

Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise pose at this year's Saturn Awards — Christopher McQuarrie is one of the leading action film directors

Schwarzenegger played Conan the Barbarian in 1982, where he starred in the film, trailing him as he faced off against against Thulsa Doom, a cult leader played by James Earl Jones. The film, filled with sword fights and magic, was a worldwide hit, grossing over $68 million at the box office and inspiring the sequel "Conan the Destroyer," released in 1984. That same year, "Terminator" was released, cementing Schwarzenegger's status as one of the key Hollywood figures in the '80s and '90s.

Schwarzenegger wanted to star in a third film titled "Conan the Conqueror," but the project was never formed. Since, the "Conan the Barbarian" universe has been rebooted with Jason Momoa as the lead, but didn't accrue the necessary critical acclaim to result in more films.

Arnold Schwarzenegger beams while cruising in a classic Mercedes convertible — A date has yet to be announced for the release of the film