Action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger has ignited excitement among fans by confirming he is in active discussions to reprise two of his most legendary roles: Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer in a forthcoming Predator installment and Conan the Barbarian in a new sequel titled King Conan. The revelations came during a candid conversation at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, over the weekend, where the 78-year-old star shared updates on multiple franchise revivals.

Schwarzenegger, whose career-defining performances in the 1987 sci-fi horror classic Predator and the 1982 fantasy epic Conan the Barbarian launched him to superstardom, detailed ongoing talks that signal a major Hollywood comeback for the Austrian-born actor. Speaking to a rapt audience, he highlighted renewed interest from studios, particularly 20th Century Studios (formerly Fox), in leveraging his enduring appeal.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

On the Predator front, Schwarzenegger revealed direct conversations with director Dan Trachtenberg, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed 2022 prequel Prey and the recent Predator: Badlands. "They did an additional Predator and the director Dan Trachtenberg has been doing a great job of that. Now, he wants me to be in the next Predator. We've talked about it," Schwarzenegger said, drawing applause. He added that studio executives have approached him directly, stating, "We want you to do Predator," amid a broader rediscovery of his star power.

The potential return would mark Schwarzenegger's first on-screen appearance in the franchise since the original film nearly 40 years ago, where his portrayal of the elite commando facing off against the alien hunter became iconic. Trachtenberg has previously expressed admiration for Schwarzenegger and hinted at possibilities for Dutch's involvement in future stories. While no formal casting announcement has been made, the discussions align with the franchise's ongoing momentum following Badlands' release and its integration of broader sci-fi elements like Weyland-Yutani.

For Conan, Schwarzenegger confirmed that 20th Century Studios has attached acclaimed director Christopher McQuarrie — known for helming the last four Mission: Impossible films and Top Gun: Maverick — to write and direct King Conan. "They just hired a fantastic writer/director who did Tom Cruise's last four movies to write and direct King Conan," Schwarzenegger announced. He described the project as a legacy sequel that would embrace his age, promising "all kinds of madness" and a different tone where "I'm still going to kick some ass, but it will be kind of a bit different."

The film would serve as a direct follow-up to Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Conan the Destroyer (1984), potentially framing Schwarzenegger's Conan as an older king drawn back into battle — a concept echoing legacy sequels like Top Gun: Maverick. Previous attempts to revive the franchise, including a 2011 reboot with Jason Momoa, met mixed results, but Schwarzenegger's involvement and McQuarrie's track record have generated significant buzz.

Schwarzenegger also mentioned receiving a script for Commando 2, teasing a return as retired Green Beret Colonel John Matrix from the 1985 action hit. "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,'" he shared. The studio's enthusiasm underscores a strategy to capitalize on nostalgia for 1980s action heroes amid a wave of revivals.

Fans have long clamored for Schwarzenegger's returns to these roles, with online communities and petitions advocating for Dutch's comeback in Predator sequels. His recent animated likeness in Predator: Killer of Killers further fueled speculation. At 78, Schwarzenegger remains active, blending acting with fitness advocacy through his Arnold Sports Festival and other ventures.

No release dates or official production starts have been confirmed for Predator or King Conan, but the talks represent tangible progress after years of rumors. Industry observers note that McQuarrie's attachment to King Conan elevates its prospects, given his success with high-stakes action and character-driven stories. Trachtenberg's Predator run has similarly revitalized the series with fresh takes, making a Schwarzenegger cameo or starring role a potential box-office draw.

Schwarzenegger's comments reflect his enduring passion for these characters. "The studio has plenty of money to make those really big," he quipped, hinting at ambitious scopes for the projects. As Hollywood leans into legacy sequels and established IP, his potential returns could anchor major tentpoles in the coming years.

For now, fans await further developments. With discussions advancing, 2026 could mark the beginning of a new chapter for two of Schwarzenegger's most enduring legacies.