Jason Momoa Dishes on His Worst Role Yet: Why ‘Conan the Barbarian’ Still Haunts Him

Jason Momoa has come a long way from his early days in Hollywood, but not every project in his career has been a highlight—and he’s not shy about saying so. In a candid new interview with GQ, the Game of Thrones and Aquaman star pulled no punches when reflecting on one of his most regrettable experiences: the 2011 remake of Conan the Barbarian.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of things that really sucked, and movies where it’s out of your hands,” Momoa said. “Conan was one of them. It’s one of the best experiences I had and it [was] taken over and turned into a big pile of sh*t.”

Starring alongside Rachel Nichols, Rose McGowan, Ron Perlman, and Stephen Lang, Momoa stepped into the iconic role made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1982 cult classic. The story followed Conan, a fierce warrior out for revenge against the warlord who murdered his father. Despite the promising source material and Momoa’s physical presence, the 2011 film was panned by critics and audiences alike for its hollow storytelling and lack of soul.

Directed by Marcus Nispel, known for his underwhelming horror reboots of Friday the 13th and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Conan the Barbarian struggled from the outset. Many pointed to a combination of clunky direction, weak writing, and uninspired execution that failed to capture the gritty magic of the original film—or the spirit of Robert E. Howard’s legendary character.

At the time of the film’s release, Momoa was also gaining major attention for his breakout role as Khal Drogo in HBO’s Game of Thrones, a performance that catapulted him into stardom and eventually led to his casting as Aquaman in the DC Extended Universe. Reflecting on his journey, Momoa’s candid comments about Conan highlight a career shaped not just by success, but also by hard lessons learned from creative misfires.

Today, Momoa is a household name, preparing to reprise his role as the King of Atlantis in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom—a far cry from the critical disaster of Conan. But his willingness to call out past failures with brutal honesty has only endeared him further to fans who appreciate his authenticity.

As for Conan the Barbarian, you can watch the trailer and judge for yourself—but if you ask Momoa, the verdict is already in.