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Genndy Tartakovsky to Helm Prime Video’s Conan Series

6/25/2026

Summary

Tartakovsky Exec-Produces Series

Prime Video announced Genndy Tartakovsky will executive-produce and showrun the series “Conan the Barbarian: Queen of the Black Coast.”
Cartoon Network Studios will co-produce the series for Prime Video.
The series is in early development, will not premiere for several years, Tartakovsky joked about animatics in 2027 and rough animation in 2028, and executive producers Darrick Bachman, Fred Malmberg and Mark Wheeler join Genndy Tartakovsky, marking his first major IP work since 2003.

Summary

Tartakovsky Revives Conan

The animated Conan series, backed by Robert E. Howard’s literary estate, will depict Conan as the intelligent, resourceful warrior-poet Howard created.
Director Genndy Tartakovsky has pursued an animated Conan since 2008, making it his longest-standing passion project after the character’s 1932 pulp debut and 1982 film breakthrough.
Following years of comics, TV spin-offs, a notable MMORPG, and a 2011 Jason Momoa reboot, the Conan brand had become largely dormant.

Summary

Amazon Adds Conan

Amazon is adding Conan to its fantasy lineup.
The Annecy Studio Focus reveal signals Amazon’s intent to compete with other streamers via high-budget mythic series.
Genndy Tartakovsky’s involvement adds creative credibility that could attract longtime fans and younger viewers.
Centering pirate queen Bêlit may test modern treatment of female characters against the franchise’s 1930s roots.
The first-look poster from Annecy shows Conan’s design, hinting at a darker tone.

History

Historical Context

After Edward Pressman began securing the Conan film rights in 1975, John Milius directed the $20 million 1982 blockbuster that earned roughly $68 million worldwide and set the sword-and-sorcery template for Hollywood. Decades later, Amazon, with Genndy Tartakovsky and Howard’s estate, is using the same high-budget mythic model to launch an animated series, proving streaming can revive classic fantasy franchises.

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Tartakovsky Exec-Produces Series

Prime Video announced Genndy Tartakovsky will executive-produce and showrun the series “Conan the Barbarian: Queen of the Black Coast.”
Cartoon Network Studios will co-produce the series for Prime Video.
The series is in early development, will not premiere for several years, Tartakovsky joked about animatics in 2027 and rough animation in 2028, and executive producers Darrick Bachman, Fred Malmberg and Mark Wheeler join Genndy Tartakovsky, marking his first major IP work since 2003.

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