The Legend of Conan isn’t happening, says writer

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Now that Arnold Schwarzenegger has been back into full-time acting mode for a few years now, and since his return fans have been clamoring for his return to famous roles, like The Terminator or Conan the Barbarian. His return in TERMINATOR: GENISYS didn’t go over too well, but fans still had hope for THE LEGEND OF CONAN.  But, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Conan won’t be conquering anything it turns out.

While talking with EW about next week’s THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS, writer Chris Morgan (who was working on a script from Will Beall) shared an update on the movie, informing them that the studio has decided to go another way:

Not so much. That’s kind of a longer story. At the end of the day, the studio decided that they weren’t gonna make that. I gotta say, it’s honestly a heartbreak. I love that first movie so much, so much, it’s one of my favorite movies. We had Will Beall do a draft on [the Legend of Conan script]. He killed it. Our take was Conan, 30 years later, a story like the Clint Eastwood Unforgiven. It was so awesome. Ultimately, the budget was big, the studio was not really sure of the title, and the relevance in the marketplace. They ended up letting it go. I think they’re gonna look to do a TV show or something with it. But just to be associated with it, pitch it to Arnold, have him get so excited, there was a moment of magic for me, personally [laughs]. You never know, down the road we may revisit!

Beall is of course tackling AQUAMAN, and was just hired to do the remake of CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, so he's not hurting for work, but his idea for THE LEGEND OF CONAN apparently won't see the light of day at this point. This comes off words from Schwarzenegger in the past, who conveyed his excitement saying the story “WILL be told and that movie WILL be done.”

I guess there’s not much more to say. The studio probably decided there wasn’t much box office room for the movie, especially after CONAN THE BARBARIAN with Jason Momoa tanked.  Even Schwarzenegger’s muscular enthusiasm wasn’t enough to convince them. That said, it sounds like they may explore the cheaper option of TV, which could be well suited for the adventures of such a legendary figure. But the prospect of “CONAN meets UNFORGIVEN” sounded too good to be true, which I guess it was. Shed a tear for Schwarzenegger and his massive sword.

Read our review of the actor’s new movie, AFTERMATH, here!