A new journey to the world of Cimmeria has been in the works for eons, with a slew of delays, casting rumors, and rewrites keeping the project barely puttering. Just look here to freshen up. But now ... the new Conan the Barbarian may have been found. And he bares a striking resemblance to the last. (My emphasis of that word will make sense in a second.)

The Hollywood Reporter's Risky Biz Blog reports that Lionsgate and Nu Image/Millennium are not interested in finding a fresh Conan, but grabbing an Arnold Schwarzenegger look-alike. They're in talks with Roland Kickinger -- a 41-year-old actor who, just like Arnie, is from Austria, is a body-builder-turned-actor, had a role as a T-800, and even played a Conan-era Arnie in See Arnold Run. Talk about the Schwarz being with you ... and about a lack of casting creativity!

Could this, perchance, be a little over-the-top? I mean, yay for Kickinger, who could finally make a huge mainstream-role out of his Arnold similarities and set out on the path for gubernatorial success. But as for the film and the rest of us -- this seems more over-the-top than a mirrored version of Psycho!

I don't think Schwarzenegger can say "I'll be back" anymore. It just doesn't have the same ring when there's a new Austrian to cover for him.

Seems our site, along with practically everyone else online, was a bit premature in declaring Brett Ratner director of the new Conan reboot. The original Hollywood Reporter article is what first threw folks off, since it claimed Ratner was committed to Conan, then changed their tune to say he's simply in "final negotiations." But even so, there's still a long way to go on the project, which, right now, is in the early stages of development. On whether or not Ratner will actually sign on, producer Avi Lerner (who sent out the original press release announcing Ratner's involvement) told The Los Angeles Times that they "still have a few obstacles. Brett is only committed if we agree on a budget, on how to do the special effects and exactly where we'd shoot the film."

Ratner, on the other hand, is pretty peeved news leaked out this early in the game. He says, "Let me make this very clear: I am not doing Conan now. This is totally premature. For now, Conan is only a development deal. I have a deal at Paramount and I'm doing Beverly Hills Cop first, no matter what. Avi shouldn't be telling you or anyone else in the press what I'm doing." Talk about getting off on the right foot.

Meanwhile, in happy-go-lucky land, Lerner says they're "looking for a younger Arnold Schwarzenegger" for the part of Conan; someone they "could sign to a three-or-four-picture deal." As to whether the Governor would take a role, Lerner claims he offered Ahnold $1 million to do a one-day cameo, but didn't get a 'yes' just yet. Schwarzenegger did say to "Wait two years for me -- I'll be coming back." Well, I guess we know who'll be showing up in the next Terminator flick, right?

Lionsgate is very eager to get their remake of Conan the Barbarian up and shooting. How can they not be? At this point, Conan spin-offs Thulsa Doom and Red Sonja are neatly beating it in the pre-production department (Red Sonja already has a star, a director, and merchandise already!), and both were green-lit after Conan. A sad state of affairs for the Cimmerian, indeed.

But it looks like things are moving again. According to The Hollywood Reporter, they've has hired Dirk Blackman and Howard McCain to rework the script. They seem a pretty good fit for the pulpy source, being fresh off Outlander (which McCain also directed) and Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans. They're still looking for a director, but would anyone be surprised if they decided on McCain?

They're replacing Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer, who wrote several drafts, apparently none of which was to the studio's liking. The CEO of Paradox Entertainment, Fredrik Malmberg, is aiming to stick close to the source material. He'd also like to become a franchise. (Is that a surprise to anyone? Thought not.) "There's no reason there couldn't be a Conan movie every two years. He's almost like Batman: He's a dark hero. He's a hard hero. He has to be badass, but we also have to like him."

Lionsgate is also looking to restart another long-delayed swords-and-loincloths project -- McCain and Blackman's Amazon, to which Scarlett Johansson has long been attached, has landed in the studio's loving hands. They're looking for a director for that, too. It wasn't that long ago that I wished for a resurgence of swords and sorcery -- and I'm getting it. It's going to be glorious! Chainmail bikinis and dudes with eight-packs, all worthy of being painted on the side of your van. Welcome back, 1980!

Finally, we all have a reason to watch American Gladiators sober! Apparently, the Gladiator known as Titan (aka Mike O'Hearn) was on the Todd n' Tyler radio show this morning in Omaha where he blew the mind of Omaha-ians with word that he's pretty close to landing the lead role in Lionsgate's Conan reboot. Slashfilm picked up the news from a reader, then listened to the show and came back with this quote from Titan (who was supposed to meet with Conan folks this morning): "Today's not even an audition. They're bringing me in today just to sit me down and talk. How about that? It's even better than an audition!"

Additionally, Titan also told Todd n' Tyler that he's got a casting session scheduled for Marvel's Captain America, which means they've got the ball rolling over there. He definitely looks the part, but will Marvel really take a chance on an American Gladiator as the lead in a big summer blockbuster flick? I can't see that happening, but you never know -- word is Titan looks good when he ... makes a fist? (I dunno, I'm reachin' here ...)

What do you think about all this? Personally, I don't mind Titan as Conan, but only if this guy plays the bad guy. On the other hand, the role of Captain America is a bit more precious. Would you fans mind it going to a Gladiator, or do you want someone more recognizable?

Despite being one of the most beloved characters in the sword and sorcery genre, I can't help thinking that the reboot of Conan the Barbarian might be doomed -- I mean, it has been almost a whole year since news of a bidding war first surfaced, and after endless casting speculation we find out that now the script is suffering through a few growing pains of its own. IGN spoke with Nu Image/Millennium Films and they said that writers Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer have just started their "contractually obligated" rewrite of the script.

There is still no word on a director yet, but IGN reports that "The filmmakers are still talking to some directors but expect to engage more of them once they have a screenplay everyone is happy with." At one point everyone from Rob Zombie to John McTiernan was attached to the project, but nothing ever panned out -- could that have been the sign of a bad script that wasn't getting any better? But, for fans that are eager for the northern barbarian to get a makeover, all is not lost. IGN reports that the studio is planning on getting the production moving "sooner rather than later" in hopes of capitalizing on the popularity of the new MMORPG, Age of Conan - Hyborian Adventures -- that is if they can ever find someone to direct or star in the film.

Conan is expected to arrive in theaters sometime in 2009.

And the Internet sat up and went, "Seriously?"

CHUD's Devin Faraci is one dedicated researcher. Like a man possessed, he's been determined to unearth Djimon Hounsou's comic book project. (We reported on what it could be earlier this week as well.) It would now seem that he has, and the news is a bit disappointing. One of CHUD's reporters was at the Never Back Down junket and pressed Hounsou further. The actor reluctantly revealed that it was a comic "that used to be part of the Conan comic book."

Faraci spoke to NuImage, the people behind the new Conan movie, and they are only in talks with Hounsou -- and do not even have a director, so the project is far from definite. There are some other Robert E. Howard projects in development, notably Solomon Kane, but it is already filming, and Bran Mak Morn.

It is all a long way from Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg's Tintin or the Black Panther. Faraci is still consumed with the story and trying to get a definite answer. Pop on over and read his article, which includes audio of Hounsou's Conan quote.

You know, for a movie that probably isn't the best idea to begin with, a lot of people certainly seem to be lining up to work on it. Just days after rumors swirled that Rob Zombie would be taking over the Conan remake for Millennium/Nu Image, now Doomsday director Neil Marshall has also been added to the list of possible directors for the fantasy update.

Rumors of Marshall's involvement first surfaced over at IGN, where it had also been confirmed by one of their sources that Zombie was in talks with the producers. That same source then threw Marshall's name on the list. Marshall joins John McTiernan, Zombie, and Hitman director Xavier Gens as possible candidates to direct. It has since been confirmed that Zombie will not be taking the reins, and instead is off working on the biker flick Tyrannosaurus Rex. According to IGN, Gens has also been in talks with the producers, but so was Zombie and look how that turned out.

The production has struggled since the beginning; first there were battles over the rights to the franchise, and after a few false starts, Millennium/Nu Image was left standing and they are now the proud new owners of the film. Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer have been allowed to work on the script during the strike thanks to an agreement between Millennium and the WGA. IGN also reports that Millennium/Nu Image will not be choosing their director until the script has been completed. By then who knows how many more names will have been added to the list. Conan is tentatively scheduled for release in 2009.

[via Comics2Film]

I'll be completely honest with you: I seriously don't know how I feel about this latest rumor. But first, the news: Bloody Disgusting says they have "confirmed 100% that Rob Zombie has been taking meetings with Lionsgate and Nu Image to get behind the director's chair for their upcoming Conan film." And yes, when we say Conan film, we're talking Conan the Barbarian (aka the re-imagining of the film that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger wayyy back in the day). Rob Zombie. Conan. Crazy, right? Now keep in mind "taking meetings" doesn't necessarily mean the guy is directing the film. I'm sure a number of folks have "taken meetings" with regards to directing Conan, but Zombie's name is definitely the most bizarre thus far to come out of the Conan camp.

Don't get me wrong, if Lionsgate and Nu Image did bring Zombie onboard, they're almost guaranteed a hit at the box office. There's just something about Zombie and his "f*ck the rules" persona that excites people; gets them all jazzed up. And, from someone who doesn't care all that much about the Conan franchise, I think it would be kinda cool if they tossed in a director who no one in their right mind would ever expect. Bringing on Zombie would pretty much guarantee a "dark as all hell" Conan film; one that would almost certainly contain lots of blood and severed limbs. It could be very cool. I'd be curious to hear from you hardcore Conan fans -- is Zombie the guy you'd like to see behind the camera? If not him, then who?

UPDATE: A Cinematical commenter pointed out that Zombie did take meetings, but turned down the gig because the script was already completed. Instead, he will next direct a biker film called Tyrannosaurus Rex. STYD backs up this statement.

Well, either John McTiernan took a pass on the offer or AICN had their collective legs pulled when news came that Die Hard helmer McTiernan was in talks to direct the Conan the Barbarian update for Millennium Films. Dark Horizons has now reported that French director Xavier Gens told film site Le Film Francais.com that he was in line to direct the fantasy update. After the drawn-out battle for the rights to re-make the 1982 film, it seems like the production is still having a little trouble finding a director or a star. Although AICN did name Gerard Butler as one of the contenders for the role (I guess he has plenty of experience in a loincloth already). Gens is probably best known as the director for the video game flick Hitman -- which might not be the best calling card if you take the cringe-worthy score of 13% on Rotten Tomatoes as any indication of the man's abilities.

Gens entrance into the Hollywood blockbuster scene probably didn't quite work out as he had hoped. First, there were rumors that there were arguments with the studio over Hitman's rating, and then finally there was talk that Gens had been pulled from the project altogether. There was some PR back-pedaling surrounding the problems with Hitman, but even if the rumors weren't completely true, it could not have helped his reputation. But since Gen's involvement in Conan is still a rumor at this point, fans probably shouldn't get too worried just yet. Let's just wait until we hear something a little more official. Conan the Barbarian is scheduled for release in 2009.

When you consider that the big-screen adaptation of Solomon Kane only just found a lead a little over a month ago, the producers certainly seem to be wasting no time in getting the film in gear. The Movie Blog now has a first look at the teaser poster for the action-adventure flick. The film is based on the adventure series of the same name by Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard about a cursed 16th Century swordsman. Back in October, Rome's James Purefoy had signed to star as Kane, an immortal swordsman who is forced out of 'retirement' for an all-out battle between good and evil. In the stories Kane was described as "a somber and gloomy man of pale face and cold eyes, all of it shadowed by a slouch hat". One look at this poster and you can see that Purefoy is an excellent choice.

The first appearance of Kane was in back 1928 in the magazine Weird Tales. Over the years, the character has appeared in over 13 stories and was even the subject of a 1976 Marvel Comic. A lot has changed since 1928, and some of the text has become the subject of criticism over its shall we say 'antiquated' views on race and women -- you know you're in trouble when you describe African tribesmen as, 'closer to mankind's beast ancestors'. Then again, it was written in 1928, so what are you going to do? I guess we will just have to hope that Michael J Bassett (writer and director for the film) has some serious re-writes in mind. Solomon Kane is set for release in 2008.

Check out the full-size poster after the jump ...