Arnold Schwarzenegger is heading back to the Hyborian Age. The 78-year-old superstar officially announced the development of King Conan during the 2026 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. The film will see Schwarzenegger reprise his role as the legendary barbarian, with Mission: Impossible mastermind Christopher McQuarrie signed on to write and direct the project.

According to Schwarzenegger, the script focuses on an age-appropriate narrative. After four decades of ruling as king, Conan is forcibly removed from his throne and must fight to reclaim his kingdom. "We have a great story," Schwarzenegger told the crowd at the festival. He noted that the film portrays Conan at his current age, showing what happens when a long-reigning monarch is suddenly pushed out of power.

The announcement marks a significant return to Schwarzenegger's roots. Beyond the sword-and-sorcery epic, the actor also teased discussions regarding potential returns to the Predator and Commando franchises. While no release date has been set for King Conan, the involvement of McQuarrie suggests a high-stakes, action-heavy approach for the long-awaited sequel that fans have anticipated for decades.