With news breaking last year that a Conan reboot is in the works, we started thinking: what other mystical, mythical, muscular properties could use a once-over and, more importantly, who would help bring them back to life?SEE ALSO: The Top 10 Movies Every Bodybuilder Should SeeWe know nothing about the new Conan, except that insiders say that it will have nothing to do with the 80’s Arnold movies, or the recent 2011 reboot starring Jason Momoa. So that gave us carte blanche to play around with our imaginations on full speed, and go crazy with our casting decisions, which feature veteran actors, cinema rookies, and bodybuilders, too. Here’s the who and why we’d like to see on the marquees.
2 of 10
Tom Hardy as Conan
Who: Tom Hardy (Warrior)Why: Hardy showed he’s got the frame for extra beef in both Bronson (2009) and as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises (2012), for which he added nearly 30 pounds to his 5’9” frame. While he might be a little short in Conan terms, and definitely a lot smaller in vintage Schwarzenegger terms, he’s got enough acting chops to give the character the gravitas it needs to become a true, next-gen icon, and not just a cartoony muscle & loincloth meatsack.SEE ALSO: The 10 Best Fitness Movies on Netflix
3 of 10
YouTube
Ronda Rousey as Samus
Who: Former UFC Champion Ronda RouseyWhy: She brought it up, not us. The MMA star might have lost her title as women’s bantamweight champion, but she’s still the reigning Queen of Gamers. In a recent interview with Gamespot, she laid her cards out on the table — she wants to star in a live-action movie based on the Metroid video game franchise. She’s got the look, the gamer passion and the badass Expendables credentials to back up her bid. Any objections? Take it up with her in the ring.SEE ALSO: 12 Things The Rock’s Movies Taught Us About Fitness
4 of 10
YouTube
Mike O’Hearn as He-Man
Who: Mike O’Hearn (American Gladiators)Why: He’s already the Titan of the Fitness World, it’s not much of a stretch to name him Master of the Universe. The former American Gladiator has the god-like physique and chiseled jawline to absolutely nail the role. UPDATE: Mike O’Hearn has been cast in a “He-Man” remake. See, this list is already working.
5 of 10
JJ Watt as the Terminator
Who: NFL Pro Bowler JJ WattWhy: Arnold Schwarzenegger himself planted the seed last year when he shot this video message to Watt via Twitter. For you Terminator purists out there, yes, we know Arnold’s famous model was the T-800, not the villainous T-1000 he told Watt he should play. That said, we think Watt could be a solid choice. The 6 ‘5”, 290-pound defensive end has a combination of size, speed and athletic prowess that even The Oak couldn’t match.
6 of 10
Alexander Skarsgård as Beastmaster
Who: Alexander Skarsgård (Trueblood)Why: The Trueblood star got in serious shape to film a Tarzan remake this year. That sentence alone qualifies him for the role. Where else are we going to find a ripped, blonde, towering, jungle-savvy actor to take on the role?
7 of 10
Eva Marie as Xena, Warrior Princess
Who: WWE Diva Eva MarieWhy: It’s not just enough to look the part, have a great body and be tough. If you’re going to play the lead in an action film, you need to have some proven acting chops. That said, who better to play a chakra slinging, leather corset-wearing, lethal warmonger than a WWE superstar? Eva Marie has all the traits in spades — we’d even let her keep her trademark flaming red hair. We’re sure Lucy Lawless would approve of the change.SEE ALSO: 3 Top Muscle Building Tips With Terry Crews
8 of 10
YouTube
Frank Grillo as Highlander
Who: Actor Frank Grillo (Captain America )Why: Fresh off roles in Captain America: Civil War and The Purge: Anarchy, Frank Grillo may not be the biggest boy on this list (standing at a modest 5’10”). But, he’s got the chiseled features of a battle-hardened time-traveling warrior, and the hand-to-hand fight scene experience from his action flick resume to make us believe he could handle a time sword with ease.SEE ALSO: The 9 Fittest Movie Moments in Hollywood History
9 of 10
YouTube
Gerard Butler as Kull The Conqueror
Who: Gerard Butler (300)Why: As Leonidas, Gerard Butler proved he can rock the loincloth and the Spartan armor with relative ease. And, we’ll be honest, we’re just dying to see this dude as a part of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). He was a slave, pirate, outlaw and gladiator – all roles practically built for Butler. And, no offense to Kevin Sorbo, but the 1997 movie adaptation barely scratched the surface of what the source material could offer.SEE ALSO: The 42 Best Arms in Hollywood History
10 of 10
YouTube
Tony Jaa as Lee (Enter the Dragon)
Who: Tony Jaa (Ong Bak)Why: First, watch this.It’s absolutely criminal that Enter the Dragon hasn’t been remade yet. Please, don’t give us the “Bruce Lee can never be replaced” line, that’s never stopped Hollywood from rehashing classics before. Jaa has a ripped, Lee-esque physique and is a proven martial arts badass. Still not convinced, please watch the video above again and repeat this process until you see the light.SEE ALSO: Lifting Legend: Bruce Lee Training 2.0
With news breaking last year that a Conan reboot is in the works, we started thinking: what other mystical, mythical, muscular properties could use a once-over and, more importantly, who would help bring them back to life?
We know nothing about the new Conan, except that insiders say that it will have nothing to do with the 80’s Arnold movies, or the recent 2011 reboot starring Jason Momoa. So that gave us carte blanche to play around with our imaginations on full speed, and go crazy with our casting decisions, which feature veteran actors, cinema rookies, and bodybuilders, too. Here’s the who and why we’d like to see on the marquees.
Tom Hardy as Conan
Who: Tom Hardy (Warrior)
Why: Hardy showed he’s got the frame for extra beef in both Bronson (2009) and as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises (2012), for which he added nearly 30 pounds to his 5’9” frame. While he might be a little short in Conan terms, and definitely a lot smaller in vintage Schwarzenegger terms, he’s got enough acting chops to give the character the gravitas it needs to become a true, next-gen icon, and not just a cartoony muscle & loincloth meatsack.
Why: She brought it up, not us. The MMA star might have lost her title as women’s bantamweight champion, but she’s still the reigning Queen of Gamers. In a recent interview with Gamespot, she laid her cards out on the table — she wants to star in a live-action movie based on the Metroid video game franchise. She’s got the look, the gamer passion and the badass Expendables credentials to back up her bid. Any objections? Take it up with her in the ring.
Why: He’s already the Titan of the Fitness World, it’s not much of a stretch to name him Master of the Universe. The former American Gladiator has the god-like physique and chiseled jawline to absolutely nail the role.
UPDATE: Mike O’Hearn has been cast in a “He-Man” remake. See, this list is already working.
JJ Watt as the Terminator
Who: NFL Pro Bowler JJ Watt
Why: Arnold Schwarzenegger himself planted the seed last year when he shot this video message to Watt via Twitter. For you Terminator purists out there, yes, we know Arnold’s famous model was the T-800, not the villainous T-1000 he told Watt he should play. That said, we think Watt could be a solid choice. The 6 ‘5”, 290-pound defensive end has a combination of size, speed and athletic prowess that even The Oak couldn’t match.
Alexander Skarsgård as Beastmaster
Who: Alexander Skarsgård (Trueblood)
Why: The Trueblood star got in serious shape to film a Tarzan remake this year. That sentence alone qualifies him for the role. Where else are we going to find a ripped, blonde, towering, jungle-savvy actor to take on the role?
Eva Marie as Xena, Warrior Princess
Who: WWE Diva Eva Marie
Why: It’s not just enough to look the part, have a great body and be tough. If you’re going to play the lead in an action film, you need to have some proven acting chops. That said, who better to play a chakra slinging, leather corset-wearing, lethal warmonger than a WWE superstar? Eva Marie has all the traits in spades — we’d even let her keep her trademark flaming red hair. We’re sure Lucy Lawless would approve of the change.
Why: Fresh off roles in Captain America: Civil War and The Purge: Anarchy, Frank Grillo may not be the biggest boy on this list (standing at a modest 5’10”). But, he’s got the chiseled features of a battle-hardened time-traveling warrior, and the hand-to-hand fight scene experience from his action flick resume to make us believe he could handle a time sword with ease.
Why: As Leonidas, Gerard Butler proved he can rock the loincloth and the Spartan armor with relative ease. And, we’ll be honest, we’re just dying to see this dude as a part of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). He was a slave, pirate, outlaw and gladiator – all roles practically built for Butler. And, no offense to Kevin Sorbo, but the 1997 movie adaptation barely scratched the surface of what the source material could offer.
It’s absolutely criminal that Enter the Dragon hasn’t been remade yet. Please, don’t give us the “Bruce Lee can never be replaced” line, that’s never stopped Hollywood from rehashing classics before. Jaa has a ripped, Lee-esque physique and is a proven martial arts badass. Still not convinced, please watch the video above again and repeat this process until you see the light.
