November 25, 2002 - IGN FilmForce has learned from sources close to King Conan: Crown of Iron that writer/director John Milius, star Arnold Schwarzenegger, producers Larry and Andy Wachowski, and Warner Brothers are no longer involved with the development or production of any eventual Conan movie. The reason for this shocking turn of events is because Conan Properties, Inc., the company that owns the Conan character, has decided not to allow either Warners or the Wachowski brothers to renew their option on the material. This option was apparently on the verge of expiration.
According to our sources, Conan Properties, Inc. was frustrated with the slow development process that Conan 3 (a.k.a. King Conan) was enduring at Warners, as well as with the Wachowskis' ongoing work on The Matrix sequels. (Apparently, production on Conan 3 wouldn't have commenced until the Wachowskis were finished with The Matrix series.)
Sources have advised IGN FilmForce of some changes that fans can expect from this new Conan movie. With Milius and Schwarzenegger no longer involved, Conan Properties allegedly wants to set up Conan at another studio – no word yet on where – with the hopes of producing "a kinder, gentler Conan," in the words of one source. Conan Properties wants to cast a younger thesp as the title character and to produce a more "friendly" Conan film on a less epic (i.e., cheaper) scale using The Scorpion King as its template. (Spider-Man was another example of the kind of audience-friendly film that Conan Properties, Inc. wants to emulate.) Conan Properties, hoping to strike while the iron is hot, want to produce a cheapie Conan flick that will enjoy a boffo opening weekend.
Interestingly, Swedish-based Paradox Entertainment recently bought 20% of Conan Sales Company, which according to a company press release, holds all intellectual property rights in and associated with the character Conan. This lucrative deal gives Paradox a say in all Conan licensing partnerships, including the film deal that was set up at Warner Brothers. Could these new partners have played a role in the Conan film's about-face?
"The potential in the Conan character, stories and fan base is huge. We plan to increase licensing activities immediately in all media, including newly written books, comics and computer games," said Theodore Bergquist, CEO of Paradox Entertainment, in a press release issued in October. "We've got two major challenges: The first is to be true to the great Conan fan base, and the second is to elevate the Conan brand and its characters preparing the property for another sixty years in the entertainment industry. We feel that Paradox is well suited to take on such tasks."
Stan Lee Media had purchased Conan Properties, Inc. back in late 2000 in a stock swap valued at over $4 million dollars; Stan Lee Media has since gone under. It is unclear how exactly Stan Lee Media was disentangled from the ownership of Conan.
Thus, everything fans thought they knew about the new Conan film should now be forgotten, including its participants, plot and even its title. Obviously, if Conan's owners want a younger thesp in the title role then the story Milius penned – about an older King Conan reuniting with his estranged son Kon – no longer makes any sense.
Conan 3 : King Conan/Crown of Iron - BAD BAD BAD NEWS
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