After being stuck in development hell for almost a decade, we finally have some movement on the Highlander reboot.
John Wick director Chad Stahelski will take the helm, and we now have confirmation that Highlander will be his next project. THR is also reporting that the filmmaker has singed a new deal with Lionsgate that will see him take charge of both the Highlander and John Wick franchises across the big and small screens.
“This deal expands on the great creative relationship we already have in place on John Wick and extends it to our Highlander franchise,” said Joe Drake, the outgoing chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group and Adam Fogelson, chair of the MPG. “From the outset, Chad has been the creative force defining the world of Wick; as we continue to think about the future for that world, we want Chad, working together with Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee of Thunder Road, as our stewards guiding us and strategizing together at every step. This deal makes it official, and we look forward to his steady hand and creative input not just on the film he is making, but other stories that arise from it. He is a true visionary, and we are thrilled to have him in our corner.”
“I am pleased to be able to grow my relationship with Lionsgate in this new oversight role for the John Wick universe and its further expansion,” added Stahelski. “John Wick is so close to my heart and to be able to continue shepherding it will be a blast for me. I’m so happy to also be launching another franchise with Highlander, a world that is so rich with engaging stories to be told.”
The report also makes Henry Cavill's involvement official. Though the Man of Steel star is still said to be in negotiations, if the deal closes, he will play the lead role.
Whether the main character will be a new take on Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) or a brand-new protagonist remains to be seen, but the new movie is expected to stick to the basic premise of the original: A race of immortals do battle across time with the ultimate goal of emerging as the sole survivor (decapitation gets the job done) and claiming the prize of mortality.
The original Highlander spawned a series of inferior sequels and a TV show, which was mostly well-regarded by fans.