{"id":16733,"date":"2026-03-30T15:12:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T15:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=16733"},"modified":"2026-03-30T15:12:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T15:12:00","slug":"arnold-schwarzenegger-discusses-awarding-1-million-in-prize-money-at-2026-arnold-classic-ohio-and-uk-offers-first-look-at-king-conan-film-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=16733","title":{"rendered":"Arnold Schwarzenegger Discusses Awarding $1 Million in Prize Money at 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK, Offers First Look at \u2018King Conan\u2019 Film Release"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger isn\u2019t done with the big screen just yet.\u00a0 On March 28, 2026, he discussed raising the prize money for the Arnold Classic Ohio and UK. He also revealed his worst acting injury and teased his next lead role in the highly anticipated \u2018King Conan\u2019 sequel.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In his prime, Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/a> dominated the bodybuilding landscape with a physique that personified the Golden Era. His massive arms, tight waist, and balanced proportions helped him secure seven Mr. Olympia titles<\/a>. He leveraged his onstage legacy into a successful acting career<\/a>, featured in timeless classics like The Terminator <\/em>Franchise and Conan the Barbarian<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In retirement, Schwarzenegger\u2019s passion for the sport hasn\u2019t faded. He hosts the annual Arnold Classic, a crucial event on the IFBB Pro League<\/a> calendar since 1989. At 78 years old, \u201cThe Austrian Oak\u201d hasn\u2019t slowed down and laid out what\u2019s next for him and the sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Arnold Schwarzenegger Talks Increasing Arnold Classic Prize Money, \u2018King Conan\u2019 and Worst Acting Injury<\/h2>\n

During a special Arnold Classic UK ceremony, Schwarzenegger reflected on the sport\u2019s financial growth. He highlighted that he only earned $1,000 when he won his last Mr. Olympia contest, whereas today, the Arnold Classic winner secured a life-changing $750,000 winner\u2019s purse.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThey win anywhere from $250-750,000. We just did the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, where the winner won $750,000,\u201d said Schwarzenegger. \u201cShould he win today, then that\u2019s a million dollars in one month. Imagine that, I got $1,000 when I won Mr. Olympia, the last Mr. Olympia contest in 1975.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I got into bodybuilding in the first place, was to go and up the cash prizes. Now, they are winning a million dollars in one month! Think about that, how we have improved the sport and how the sport has grown in every direction possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Looking back on Conan the Barbarian<\/em>, Schwarzenegger shared that he was responsible for 95% of all stunts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhen they did Conan the Barbarian, the body was exposed almost at all times. They couldn\u2019t find a stunt guy that had muscles or a muscle guy that could do stunts. So I ended up with 95% of it doing it myself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He revealed that being attacked by wolves, falling into a rose bush, and hitting a rock were his worst acting injuries. After the mishap, Schwarzenegger had to have his back stitched up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIn Conan the Barbarian, all the stuff on the horses, I tell you, I fell off horses during the sword fights. I was trampled by horses. I was getting in accidents left and right. The first day I had stitches right away on the set.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were stitching up my back because this wolf was attacking me, climbing up the rocks. They let the wolf go too early and he jumped me and pulled me off and I fell into a rose bush, into a rock. Had to be stitched up and rose thorns all over my body.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Looking ahead, Schwarzenegger previewed his role in the sequel King Conan<\/em>, where he plays an old king who faces threats and conflict.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe move wouldn\u2019t have worked if I would have done it five years after the first Conan because the whole idea of King Conan is that he\u2019s been for 40 years or so, the king, and he\u2019s older now.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not anymore in the shape that he was in during his heyday and now people are trying to take him out. He\u2019s the king. He gets a little bit complacent, and he\u2019s tired of the job and wants to move on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He believes it\u2019s the right time for this project, but admitted some of his remakes in the past fell short of expectations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cThere will be a lot of conflict,\u201d added<\/a> Schwarzenegger. \u201cExtraordinary battles. Interestingly enough, all of a sudden the film studies feel like they just need to do a sequel or a copy of one of my movies.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t work that well. They\u2019ve tried it with Predator, they tried it with Total Recall, and they tried it with Running Man now. All of those films and they feel like it doesn\u2019t work.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Despite his acting career, Schwarzenegger\u2019s love for bodybuilding is always on display. He recently guided his son, Joseph Baena, ahead of his onstage amateur debut. Ultimately, Baena thrived and secured three gold medals at the 2026 NPC Natural Colorado State Championships<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Between acting and evolving the sport, Schwarzenegger remains busy in retirement. He believes his upcoming King Conan<\/em> film will do the franchise justice when it\u2019s released.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Arnold Schwarzenegger Says Being Strong Is Not Enough, Explains Why Muscle Power Matters More for Longevity<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Antic Fitness India YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n