Arnold Schwarzenegger Updates Status Of THE LEGEND OF CONAN Sequel

Word came out last fall that Universal, in conjunction with Paradox, has a new Conan movie in the works with Arnold Schwarzenegger returning at age 63 to reprise his role. In a recent interview with Ain’t it Cool, Arnie, who may be a senior citizen now, went into some detail on how the project is coming along.

The former California governor explained his comeback as the Robert E. Howard Cimmerian warrior, in words:

(Universal) finally came forward, and said, ‘You’re absolutely right. The previous regime has missed the boat here. We want to pick it up. We’re going to buy the rights and we’re going to be serious about it and make a quality film with an A-director and with A-writers and so on. And we want you to participate in this. We want you to star and you to play Conan. We’re going to take a story where Conan is at that age so it’s totally believable and you’re not looking like a 30-year old action guy.’

Bearing in mind what The Legend of Conan producer Fredrik Malmberg said in the Deadline piece, this is just music to my ears:

The original ended with Arnold on the throne as a seasoned warrior, and this is the take of the film we will make. It’s that Nordic Viking 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.

Schwarzenegger and Universal, with an A-director and with A-writers, could start shooting at some point later in 2013, with New Zealand the likely home for the production.

Check out the full interview below:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Rz_rKRihE[/youtube]