‘The Legend Of Conan’ Aims To Carry Forward The Tone Of The 1982 Original
One of the big promises inArnold Schwarzenegger’s revived career as an actor has been the idea that he would reprise the role ofConan the Barbarian. It’s one of the gigs that cemented him as an action star, and the 1982 film co-written (with Oliver Stone) and directed byJohn Miliusis hailed as among the best adaptations of pulp novels ever committed to film.
The new film, which is being dubbedThe Legend of Conan, hasFast and FuriousscribeChris Morganas a writer and producer, and Morgan now proclaims that the new film is intended to be an intense adventure film that carries forward the tone and even some of the other characters from the 1982 movie.
The Arnold Fanstalked to Morgan, who promised that “at least three” characters are returning from John Milius' 1982 filmConan The Barbarian. He won’t say which, but he does say that this film is meant to be a direct extension, and that this is not being conceived as a light, fun blockbuster:
Morgan went on to praise the work of Milius, and declare his hopes for the new film as a continuation of the work of Milius, Conan creator Robert E. Howard, and artist Frank Frazetta.
Milius was a visionary. And a hero of mine. He established a milieu that is stunning and violent and clear — incomparable. The goal, the dream, is to live up to his world. To make it worthy. And to expand on it in a truthful way that audiences will embrace. We’re very lucky that the architects of this new film — the writer, the producers, the studio and most of all, Arnold — who is Conan — are all first-generation fans who either worked on the film or who came along for the ride, cheering from their theater seats opening night. We plan nothing more than to immerse ourselves in the world Milius envisioned from Robert E. Howard’s unforgettable stories and Frank Frazetta’s stunning artwork. I can’t give specifics (nobody likes a spoiler!), but know we are honoring the locales, the religions and the traditions of the ‘82 film.
When pressed for a possible shoot date,The Legend of ConanproducerFredrik Malmbergsays “I think this fall would be perfect. The sooner the better!”
The script is in at Universal, but at this point the studio may wait to see howTerminator: Genisysdoes at the box office. And if the intent here is to create an intense, possibly R-rated continuation of the John Milius film, the studio may also consider the lukewarm reception forMad Max: Fury Road, which despite great reviews and audience reactions has pulled in less than $100m domestic over two weekends.
