While the proposed live-action sequel, King Conan, remains in celluloid limbo, the muscle-bound, barbarian comic-book hero created by Robert E. Howard is set to crush his enemies and see them driven before him on home video. New Line Home Entertainment has acquired all North American distribution rights to Conan: Red Nails, a new animated feature being overseen by Swordplay Ent.
Slated for release on DVD and VHS in the fall of 2006, Conan: Red Nails will combine 2D and 3D animation to bring one of Howard’s most famous stories to the screen. When Conan and pirate queen Valeria are betrayed in battle, they flee across harsh desert and jungle terrain to discover the mystery and danger of a lost city. Becoming embroiled in a feud between the city’s factions, Conan must triumph over dragons, demons and a host of human and magical foes to end the war and win Valeria’s love.
The pic is being directed by animation veteran Victor Dal Chele, whose TV credits include Spider-Man, Ghostbusters, The Real Adventures of Johnny Quest, Butt-Ugly Martians and Robocop: Alpha Commando. Dal Chele is working from a screenplay by writer/producer Steve Gold.
Also contributing to the production is key concept designer Michael Kaluta, a alegendary illustrator who has been associated with Conan and other Howard properties for more than thirty years. In addition, Mark Schultz (Cadillacs & Dinosaurs), who recently illustrated The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian: Volume 1 for Ballentine/Del Rey Books, will add additional concept designs, as will leading fantasy painter and book cover artist Donato Giancola. Comic-book and video game artist Greg Horn will also be contributing artwork for the project.
Jonathan Bogner will produce Conan: Red Nails alongside Gold. Exec producers are David Schwarcz, co-founder of Swordplay Ent.; Peter Sederowsky, chairman of Paradox Ent., which owns Conan Properties International LLC.; Frederik Malmberg, exec director of Conan Properties International LLC; and Patricia Gillum (Miracle Dogs). Nicholas Temple is onboard as co-exec producer.
International sales company Cinema Management Group (CMG) will be taking Conan: Red Nails to the Cannes Film Festival in hopes of setting up international pre-sales.
Conan Properties International is developing the live-action Conan feature film with Warner Bros. Studios. Arnold Schwrazenegger was originally attached to reprise the role, but his involvement is unconfirmed at this time. Summer 2007 is being floated as a possible release window.
As Conan nears his 75th birthday, online gaming house Funcom is also preparing to launch the MMOG title, Age of Conan.
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