Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Sword & Sorcery Sequel Is More Exciting Than Returning to Either of His Sci-Fi Franchises

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Arnold Schwarzenegger famously promised, “I’ll be back,” and he’s followed through by revisiting some of his most iconic characters. Starting in the mid-2010s, he appeared in two new Terminator films, Terminator Genisys (2015) and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019). However, neither of those movies were particularly successful, and the Terminator franchise as a whole has had trouble regaining its popularity. Fortunately, other roles Schwarzenegger has played offer more promise for a strong return.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, director Dan Trachtenberg announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger will reprise his iconic role as Dutch in a future Predator film, which is great news for fans. However, many overlook the franchise that first launched Schwarzenegger to superstardom, and it might actually offer him an even more impressive comeback opportunity.

There’s One Comeback Role Arnold Schwarzenegger Hasn’t Done Yet (But Needs To)

Before becoming famous for films like The Terminator and Predator, Arnold Schwarzenegger first starred in Conan the Barbarian (1982). This movie, directed by John Milius and co-written by Oliver Stone, brought Robert E. Howard’s classic 1930s ‘sword and sorcery’ stories to the big screen. Schwarzenegger plays Conan, a member of the Cimmerian tribe, who seeks revenge after witnessing the brutal murder of his family and people by the evil Thulsa Doom (played by James Earl Jones). Conan is enslaved and trained as a gladiator, eventually breaking free and joining forces with a witch, a warrior, and a wizard to launch a violent attack against Doom.

In the 1984 sequel, Conan the Destroyer, Conan embarks on a new quest, helping a deceitful queen who secretly plans to sacrifice her niece, the princess, to an evil god. The film concludes with Conan rejecting the queen’s offer of marriage and a kingdom, implying he’ll claim power and a wife on his own terms in the future.

The Conan movies stopped being made after The Destroyer didn’t perform well, except for a 2011 reboot starring Jason Momoa. That film was a financial failure and received very negative reviews. Despite this, the character of Conan has remained popular thanks to a long-running series of comic books that began in the 1970s, published primarily by Marvel and Dark Horse Comics. This continued interest has even led to discussions about making a new movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, with so many different Conan stories and interpretations over the years, it’s become difficult to decide which one to use as the basis for a new film. Despite the options, one particular idea consistently rises to the top…

King Conan Is The Movie Arnold Schwarzenegger Needs to Make (And It May Be Happening)

The idea for “King Conan” actually comes from writings by Robert E. Howard, the creator of Conan, dating back to the early 1950s. These stories envision Conan as an older man, now a king ruling Aquilonia. The plots generally involve either challenges to his rule – like plots, assassinations, or rebellions – or adventures he undertakes as a king. Some versions depict him as an aging, battle-scarred ruler, isolated after years as a barbarian warrior, who shares stories of his past with a young historian or writer.

Arnold Schwarzenegger recently shared that Christopher McQuarrie, the director behind the latest Mission: Impossible films, is now developing a King Conan movie. According to Schwarzenegger, McQuarrie will both write and direct the film. While McQuarrie is known for gritty spy thrillers, his style could be a perfect fit for a darker, more mature fantasy adventure. With the success of shows like Game of Thrones, audiences are eager for stories set in medieval worlds filled with political maneuvering, betrayal, and a touch of the supernatural.

A King Conan movie would be more than just another action film with Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s an opportunity to blend big-budget filmmaking with thoughtful storytelling, offering a look at Conan – and Schwarzenegger himself – as they grapple with age and mortality. The film’s central quest could have a double meaning, representing Schwarzenegger returning to a defining role fans have long requested. It would allow him to reflect on his journey from the original Conan the Barbarian and how that role shaped his life, bringing him back to where it all began with King Conan.

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2026-03-10 20:14