While there’s no denying that Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa was the perfect choice to take on the mantle of Robert E. Howard’s legendary barbarian, last year’s Conan the Barbarian remake failed to thrill audiences (despite a strong showing from Momoa) like the original Arnold Schwarzenegger movies did; something which Universal have now realized, and aim to capitalize on, by putting Arnie back in the role which gave him his movie career in the first place. Yes. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be Conan again.
Given that the first two Conan movies (Conan the Barbarian, and Conan the Destroyer) still have such a huge cult following 30 years after their original release, and Conan remains one of the roles most strongly associated with the now ex-Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, it’s no surprise that the studio and audiences alike would love to see the man reprise the guise of the infamous literary barbarian; though he doesn’t exactly have his bodybuilding figure anymore, and has aged into a 65-year-old in the 30 years since.
However, the new movie, titled The Legend of Conan (originally planned in 1982, titled King Conan, and ultimately scrapped in 2001) will be a direct sequel to 1982‘s Conan the Barbarian, ignore the events of both Conan the Destroyer and the Jason Momoa starring remake, and find Conan as “that mythic guy who has played the role of king, warrior, soldier and mercenary, and who has bedded more women than anyone, nearing the last cycle of his life. He knows he’ll be going to Valhalla, and wants to go out with a good battle”, according to rights holder and producer Fredrik Malmberg.
As the Barbarian “ended with Arnold on the throne as a seasoned warrior”, Legend of Conan “picks him up there, as he faces different challenges that include dealing with age. [It’s] where Arnold is now in his life, and we will be able to use the fact that he has aged in this story. I love the property of Conan so much that I wouldn’t touch it unless we came up with something worthy. We think this is a worthy successor to the original film. Think of this as Conan’s Unforgiven.”
Due to be scripted by Chris Morgan (the man behind the last four Fast & Furious movies, and the upcoming 47 Ronin), there’s no director attached at present, though Universal are attempting to fast-track the movie, aiming to have it in cinemas by summer 2014, and it appears as though Arnold is very excited to be back in the barbarian’s shoes (or should that be sandals?); saying “I always loved the Conan character and I’m honoured to be asked to step into the role once again. I can’t wait to work with Universal and the great team of Fredrik Malmberg and Chris Morgan to develop the next step of this truly epic story.”
Matt Wheeldon.
Source: Deadline.
