The Henry Cavill Highlander reboot has been in development for some time, bringing back the classic fantasy movie. The 1986 Highlander follows a Celtic warrior who was part of an ancient race of immortals who battle one another throughout the centuries until only one is left standing (leading to the oft-quoted "there can only be one"). The 1986 movie kicked off an expansive Highlander franchise that included theatrical sequels, a live-action television show, and a kids' animated movie.
The Highlander movies after the 1986 classic never rose to the levels of the original, leading to an inconsistent cinematic franchise that nevertheless had an intriguing mythology. However, the original remains a favorite of many fans with its sword-fighting action, fun world-building, and a talented cast that includes Christopher Lambert, Clancy Brown, and Sean Connery. The reboot has also gone through a lot of talent with Ryan Reynolds in talks to star at one point while directors like Justin Lin and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo have been attached at one point or another.
Highlander Reboot: Latest News - A Release Window Is Announced
In a company investor call, it was announced by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Darke that a release window for the Highlander Reboot has been set. The studio is now aiming for a 2026 release, although no further details were announced. The movie is already planning to start filming in 2024, leaving plenty of time for the no-doubt heavy CGI and post-production work that will be done on the movie.
The Highlander Reboot Is Confirmed
Summit Entertainment first bought the rights to Highlander in 2008 with plans for a remake. The initial plan was for Justin Lin to direct with the title planned as Highlander: Reckoning. When Lin dropped out in 2011, 28 Weeks Later director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, who himself stepped away from the project shortly after.
Chad Stahelski has been attached to direct since 2016, making it Stahelski's first movie outside of the John Wick franchise. John Wick 4's Michael Finch is also involved, and has written the script for the current project. While it looked for a while as though Highlander could get stuck in development hell, things are now moving on the project.
Highlander Reboot Cast
The only confirmed member of the Highlander reboot cast as of now is Henry Cavill. Cavill has been signed on to the Highlander project since 2021 alongside Chad Stahelski as director. Given that Cavill exited the role of Geralt in The Witcher, it is easy to see him stepping into another role as a sword-wielding hero with him presumably taking the role of Connor MacLeod.
With Chad Stahelski's confirmation that the Highlander reboot would use a lot of the same characters from the original, it is easy to determine some of the other key roles that will be needed for the movie. The main villain of the movie is the barbarian Kurgan, played by Clancy Brown in the original. Actors like Vinnie Jones and the late Ray Stevenson were rumored for the role, while Dave Bautista was an earlier candidate for the role and could easily still play the intimidating villain.
Highlander Reboot Story
The original Highlander begins with a flashback to early history where Connor MacLeod is shown to be a warrior in Clan MacLeod who is killed in battle against the barbarian warrior Kurgan. However, following the battle, Connor rises alive and totally healed as he meets Ramirez who explains that they both belong to an ancient race of immortals who have a power known as "The Quickening" which makes them immortal except for being decapitated.
It is revealed that immortals often battle each other throughout history since an immortal can gain The Quickening from another immortal that they kill. Their legend has it that the remaining immortals will come together for an event known as The Gathering where they will face off until there is only one left standing who will gain "The Prize" which means absorbing The Quickening of all other immortals and gaining immense power. The majority of the original movie takes place in modern-day New York City where Connor faces off against Kurgan once again in a fight to see who will gain The Prize.
While the original movie ended with Connor defeating Kurgan and seemingly becoming the last immortal, the Highlander spinoff television series explained that there were other immortals out there so that the franchise could continue. Chad Stahelski seems to understand the same dilemma as he spoke about the Highlander reboot setting up The Gathering rather than depicting it. Chad Stahelski gave a Highlander update in which he explained that the new Henry Cavill Highlander movie would be pulling from the 1986 original as well as the television show to create a new story that is planned to be the beginning of a new franchise. Stahelki revealed, "we’re trying to do a bit of a prequel, a setup to The Gathering, so we have room to grow the property." He also confirmed that it wouldn't be a totally new Highlander story as "our story engages a lot of the same characters and stuff like that."
This could mean that the reboot will take place in the past rather than a modern setting, or it could focus on the battle between Kurgan and Connor prior to The Gathering.
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