Arnold Schwarzenegger, nearing 80, is preparing to reengage with his most famous roles as 20th Century Studios develops three new films featuring the star: Conan 3, Commando 2, and a fresh installment in the Predator series. These projects mark a significant resurgence for the veteran action star, signaling a potential busy period ahead in Hollywood for Schwarzenegger action sequels.
Revealed during a panel at the Arnold Sports Festival held in Columbus, Ohio, Schwarzenegger announced ongoing discussions about returning as Dutch in the upcoming Predator film, directed by Dan Trachtenberg. Concurrently, the studio is making strides on sequels for both Commando and the long-awaited Conan 3, highlighting renewed momentum in these franchises.
Updates on Predator, Commando, and King Conan Sequels
Schwarzenegger confirmed at the festival,
“They did an additional Predator and the director has been doing a great job of that. Now, he wants me to be in the next Predator. We’ve talked about it,”
signaling strong interest in his return to the role of Dutch. He also shared that Fox Studios has approached him with scripts to revive both Predator and Commando, stating,
“As a matter of fact, Fox Studios has kind of rediscovered Arnold. They’ve come to me and said, ‘We want you to do Predator, we just got a script for you to do Commando 2.”
Regarding Conan 3, Schwarzenegger revealed the hiring of
“a fantastic writer/director who did Tom Cruise’s last four movies to write and direct King Conan,”
hinting at Christopher McQuarrie’s involvement. The script reportedly explores Schwarzenegger’s character as an aging king of Aquilonia, continuing from the original film’s ending and disregarding the events of Conan the Destroyer released in 1984.
Potential Storylines and Franchise Revivals
The upcoming Predator sequel is expected to build on Predator: Badlands, where director Dan Trachtenberg nearly included a Dutch cameo alongside Amber Midthunder’s character Naru. The current talks suggest Schwarzenegger’s role could be more extensive this time, reigniting the classic rivalry and alliance with alien hunters.
Meanwhile, the Conan 3 project, which has been stalled in development for years under various titles including King Conan and The Legend of Conan, finally appears to be gaining traction. Fans can anticipate a story focused on Schwarzenegger’s barbarian assuming a kingly role, expanding the franchise’s lore after decades of uncertainty. The Commando sequel is poised to continue the high-octane action that defined the original 1985 film, likely featuring Schwarzenegger’s iconic tough-guy persona once again.
Additional Schwarzenegger Projects and Industry Impact
Beyond these three franchises, Schwarzenegger may also return for a sequel to Twins, called Triplets, reuniting with co-star Danny DeVito and introducing Tracy Morgan as their long-lost sibling. Though this project has experienced delays, notably due to the passing of director Ivan Reitman, Schwarzenegger’s continued activity in Hollywood underscores his enduring appeal.
This cluster of sequels could revitalize Schwarzenegger’s status in the action genre, offering longtime fans new chapters to beloved stories while introducing these characters to a new generation. The actor’s collaboration with recent filmmakers like Trachtenberg and McQuarrie also brings fresh creative energy to these franchises.
As these developments unfold, anticipation grows over whether all projects will reach fruition, especially given past challenges with Conan 3’s production. However, Schwarzenegger’s recent statements and ongoing talks with studios signal a promising future brimming with action-packed returns.
