Arnold Schwarzenegger will star in Universal Pictures' Legend of Conan.

The veteran actor has signed on to reprise his role as the legendary Robert E Howard hero for the third time, Digital Spy reported citing Deadline.

Details of the project remain scarce, but it is believed to follow on from the original 1982 outing, ignoring the derided 1984 sequel Conan the Destroyer and 2011's Jason Momoa-starring Conan the Barbarian reboot.

"The original ended with Arnold on the throne as a seasoned warrior, and this is the take of the film we will make," producer Fredrik Malmberg said.

"It's that Nordic Viking mythic guy who has played the role of king, warrior, soldier and mercenary, and who has bedded more women than anyone, nearing the last cycle of his life. He knows he'll be going to Valhalla, and wants to go out with a good battle."

Schwarzenegger was most recently seen in The Expendables 2. He will next appear in The Last Stand and The Tomb, and is currently shooting David Ayer's Ten.

Chris Morgan will also produce The Legend of Conan. He has plotted the film and may write the screenplay.