Producer Updates Us On Status Of "The Legend of Conan"

"The Legend of Conan" is alive and well at Universal Pictures and Paradox Entertainment.

This film is not a reboot or re imagination of Robert E. Howard's mythology like 2012's "Conan" starring Jason Momoa, It also apparently ignores the events in the 1984 sequel "Conan the Destroyer". Instead it's a direct sequel to John Milius' original "Conan the Barbarian," one that takes the thirty years that have passed into account in the storyline.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is slated to return as the now older Conan who sets out on one final quest.

Andrea Berloff signed on to write the script for the film last Fall. No director is attached to the project yet.

Scribe Chris Morgan (Fast Five, Wanted) conceived the story and nicknames it "Conan’s Unforgiven.". Morgan will also produce with Fredrik Malmberg

Speaking with TheArnoldFans.com, Malmberg says he's happy with Berloff's screenplay which is being polished at this point in time:

"We want to polish up the script, specifically about the characters. But we don't think it will take long. We'll probably have this turned in around September after the holiday and then we'll take it to the studio and if they're happy, we can hopefully start (production) in the Spring (2015)."

The intention is for Schwarzenegger to do "Legend of Conan" after he finishes Terminator: Genesis, but it all depends on the script being ready in time:

"That's the intention. Arnold wants that. I would like that and I know everyone from the studio side would like that but it's all in the script. We need to get the script where it's right and ready to go. In the movie world, nowadays, when a movie is a go movie, it happens very quickly. It's up to Universal to set the date for it to be released but personally, I don't think it has to be a summer movie. I think there's plenty of examples of big event movies being released in the winter like The Matrix movies and The Lord of the Rings. I can see this being a winter movie as well as a summer movie. This iconic role of Arnold as Conan is so big that it can be year round."

Before it goes forward though they need a director. Several folks have reportedly come forth and expressed interest, but the producers want the script completed before they officially approach helmers.