Whereas Highlander is arguably a franchise of diminishing returns, a minimum of on the movie facet of issues (let’s not even get into what a large number it was placing Highlander II collectively), it’s nonetheless maintained a large fanbase for the reason that first film got here out in 1986. However now the chance has come alongside for a totally recent begin, with Henry Cavill being tapped to guide a Highlander reboot. Whereas I’m trying to this new tackle the property, phrase’s are available in that we’ll be ready a very long time for its launch.
Throughout a monetary name (through IGN), Joe Drake, the chairman of Lionsgate’s Movement Image Group, said that Highlander is ready to be one of many studio’s “tentpole” releases in 2026. He additionally talked about that with the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike now over, filming is predicted to start quickly, though he didn’t present a selected timetable. With 2024 on the horizon, presumably the 2026 theatrical schedule will begin to turn out to be a clearer image, however a minimum of now we all know that Highlander will arrive sooner or later throughout that 12 months, as will the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which is slated for Could 1, 2026.
What’s curious, although, is why there’s such a protracted wait forward of us. Granted, moviemaking is an advanced course of and also you by no means wish to rush by it, but when filming is predicted to start out within the subsequent few months, and even someday in mid-2024, then why is 2026 the goal interval for Highlander? Even permitting sufficient time for an affordable principal images interval and for the VFX to be correctly realized throughout the postproduction course of, I really feel like this film might simply be able to go by 2025.
However hey, good issues come to those that wait, and if Lionsgate has an excellent cause for ready till 2026 to ship Highlander, then as long as that ultimate product is the perfect it may be, then I could make peace with it not coming for one more three years. A Highlander reboot has been in growth in a single type or one other for the reason that late 2000s, however the challenge in its present type began to make progress when John Wick’s Chad Stahelski was tapped to direct in 2016. By 2021, Henry Cavill confirmed he’d scored the lead position, and this previous October, Lionsgate introduced that he’d play a brand new model of Connor MacLeod, the Immortal protagonist who was beforehand performed by Christopher Lambert.
Whereas no particular plot particulars have been divulged regarding the screenplay being written by Mike Finch, Chad Stahelski did lately inform CinemaBlend that the Highlander reboot is one in every of his “prime initiatives,” in addition to acknowledged the property wants “a bit of improve.” He additionally revealed in a separate interview that the reboot will make the most of the Queen soundtrack from the unique film in a “totally different,” however “hardcore” method.
As soon as Highlander is formally scheduled by Lionsgate, we’ll let you realize. Till then, the unique Highlander may be streamed with a Peacock subscription, and Henry Cavill’s subsequent film, Argylle, will theatrically premiere February 2 on the 2024 films schedule, after which be launched to Apple TV+ subscribers at a later date.
