Finally a new adaptation of the fantasy monster? According to the latest news, Robert Rodriguez (Alita: Battle Angel) was working on a new foray of Conan the Barbarian on our screens. The director was involved in the production of a series dedicated to the hero imagined by Robert E. Howard in 1932. A monument of heroic fantasy, the character had not graced our screens since 2011 and the much-maligned proposal of Marcus Nispel with Jason Momoa. Rodriguez hoped to convince Netflix, which held the rights, to revive the protagonist widely associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger. During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Rodriguez discussed the future of his potential television series. It is rather bleak. He explains that Netflix has left expire the rights. He adds “Sometimes it's too much of a liability for a character to carry. No one has yet captured the spirit of the Conan works.” According to him, the serial format could have easily been a way to encapsulate the essence of Robert E. Howard's stories. After all, it was born in a series of short stories published for Weird Tales magazine, and this format could allow the narrative to pay homage to the novelist's writing. It should be noted that the series broadcast in 1997 had already attempted the experience, without managing to distinguish itself among the emblematic productions of the genre.
Is it over?
If Rodriguez cannot count on the support of the Red N to bring his ambitious project to fruition, all is not lost. The license could find a new home, at a time when fantasy continues to be a priority for certain industry giants, such as HBO, which is banking heavily on the imagination of George R.R. Martin.
The fact remains that, among all the adaptations of the genre, few have found thanks to the public eye. The cancellation of Shadow and Bone, the disappointing ratings of Rings of Power, and the dreaded conclusion of The Witcher are poor indicators. Fantasy worlds are of unparalleled richness and represent a colossal challenge for studios and platforms that don't always know how to go about it. We'll bet that Conan is famous enough to be treated lightly, and we can hope that he will find a place of choice on our screens soon.
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