Over the years, the Highlander franchise has produced one of the most passionate and – let’s be honest – patient fandoms around. Despite the genuine love for the original film (starring Christophe Lambert, Clancy Brown and Sean Connery) and the long-running television series (featuring Adrian Paul, Peter Wingfield, Elizabeth Gracen and Jim Byrnes), there’s been genuine frustration over some of the cinematic sequels and quiet disbelief that the long-discussed reboot/remake was going to happen any time soon.
That all changed today with some firm news… news that is all kinds of super. Though there’d been a lot of fantasy-casting by fans, few would have dared hope that no less than Man of Steel star Henry Cavill would be confirmed as in negotiations to be the latest iteration of the warrior foundling race that cannot die unless they are decapitated and fought each other down through the centuries for the right to be the last Immortal and receive a mythical ‘prize’. It is not known at this point whether the new film would tell the story of the original film’s Connor MacLeod or a brand new character… and it is not known if Cavill would be playing the ‘Lambert’ type of character or would serve in the Connery/mentor role. John Wick director Chad Stahelski, who will helm the new film, has previously spoken about integrating ideas from the first Highlander film and the series together (including, perhaps, the Watchers and other supporting characters), so there’s every chance it could take the core concept and spin elements out in a slightly new direction or interpretation.
Though Cavill is famous for his portrayal of Superman in several DC movies (most recently the Zack Snyder recut of Justice League) he is also a multi-faceted actor also known for Mission Impossible: Fallout, playing Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes (just getting the greenlight for a sequel) and is currently filming the second season of another high-concept sword-swinging franchise The Witcher for Netflix)
Kerry Williamson is currently penning the newest draft of the script. The producers on the new film will include Neal H. Moritz and Josh Davis with executive producers including Amanda Lewis, Patrick Wachsberger and Gregory Widen. Peter S. Davis, who – along with Bill Panzer – produced the original film, was helping develop the new film before he passed away in February, aged 79.
