Prime Video just greenlit a reboot of an Arnold Schwarzenegger 1980s action classic

If you thought we were done seeing new versions of Conan the Barbarian, think again. There’s a fresh take on Arnie’s muscle-bound anti-hero heading our way, only this time he’ll be wielding his sword in animated form – and honestly, the creative team’s a bit of a coup.

Barbarian Redux – But Not How You Remember

Prime Video (yes, that one) is bringing back Conan, but instead of a live-action retread, they’ve roped in Genndy Tartakovsky – the bloke behind Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Primal. If you’re expecting the usual safe and cutesy nonsense, you clearly haven’t seen what Tartakovsky gets up to after the watershed.

He’s partnered with Cartoon Network Studios for what’s shaping up to be a much darker, bloodier, and properly pulpy animated series. Which frankly, is a relief if you ever sat through some of the previous embarrassments with Conan’s name attached.

And Schwarzenegger? Still in the Game

Now, if you’re a purist: yes, Arnie is still set to return as Conan for his own long-promised live-action sequel somewhere down the line. So that’s two Conan projects in the works – the big, brash Schwarzenegger one, and this new, animated vision. Bit of a ‘let a hundred barbarians bloom’ moment in the franchise, isn’t it?

The Premise: Love, Sorcery, and Some Very Angry Gods

Here’s what the official logline’s promising for the Tartakovsky version:

'After finding love in the pirate queen, Bêlit, a battle-hardened Conan defies gods, fate, and even death to save her from a dark sorcery that threatens to destroy everything.'

So we’re proper deep into the pulpy adventure territory here, with Conan falling hard for a pirate queen and taking on all manner of supernatural nastiness to get her back. Not exactly Shakespearian, but at least it isn’t just another tiresome origin story.

The People Making It Happen

• Creator/Executive Producer: Genndy Tartakovsky – if what you want is style, action and mayhem animated with a distinctive edge, he’s the man for the job
• Animation Studio: Cartoon Network Studios
• Platform: Prime Video (so it lands on one of the big streamer battlegrounds, with all the marketing muscle that implies)
• Main Characters: Conan and his pirate queen love interest, Bêlit (who’s from the original Robert E. Howard stories, if we’re getting technical)
• Live-Action Sequel: Arnie’s still set to swing the sword for his own sequel elsewhere – separate project, separate universe, etc.

First Look Incoming

They’ve even dropped a teaser poster, although – let’s be honest – it’s doing all the usual 'coming soon, moody silhouette with a sword' business, so not much to pore over just yet.