Much like its title character, the attempt to reboot the Highlander franchise seems incapable of being killed. While the project has been in development hell for years, it's possible that it may have just received the boost that it needed to get out. A new director has been brought on board, and he's a pretty solid choice. Chad Stahelski, the director behind both John Wick and it's upcoming sequel has signed with Lionsgate to handle the remake.
The Highlander reboot has been on the drawing board since 2008 but it has never seemed to be able to put together the cast and crew that it needed. Justin Lin and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo have been previously attached to direct, both have left the project. Cedric Nicolas-Troyan was the last name attached. Highlander could have been his directorial debut but he went on to direct The Huntsman: Winter's War instead and this one fell by the wayside.
It appears to be a good month for the directing duo that brought us John Wick. The original Keanu Reeves action film was co-directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch. Stahelski went on to direct the sequel, which will be out early next year, by himself, and now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, he has Highlander to follow that up. Leitch has now been announced as the new director of Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool 2, taking over for the departing Tim Miller.
Speaking of Ryan Reynolds, the actor was once attached to star in The Highlander reboot, but he left the project several years ago. One would assume that putting together a cast will be Chad Stahelski's first job. At this point, there is no lead to play the role of Connor Macloud, originally played by Christopher Lambert in the 1986 original. A year ago it had been announced that Guardians of the Galaxy's Dave Bautista had signed to play the villain, and as far as we know that's still the case. He's the only actor on board that we're aware of. Tom Cruise's name had been floated as a potential choice to take on the mentor role, originally played by Sean Connery, but nothing has come of that, at least not that's been formally announced.
Chad Stahelski seems like a solid choice if they're serious about making a new Highlander. Based on his resume as an action director we could get some beautifully choreographed sword fights as immortals take each other on in single combat. While the movie will need more than just great action, the action is a start which has Highlander pointed in the right direction. Now, we just have to wait and see what happens with the cast and the script.
Do you think a new Highlander will ever make it to screens or is Chad Stahelski the latest in a line of directors who won't hang around? Let us know what you think in the comments.
