Highlander Reboot: Chad Stahelski Confirms Henry Cavill as Lead
The highly anticipated reboot of the beloved action fantasy franchise Highlander is edging closer to production, with director Chad Stahelski confirming that former Superman Henry Cavill will star as the titular immortal warrior. In an exclusive interview with MovieWeb, Stahelski revealed that he has been scouting locations in New York for the reboot and will helm the project next.
Stahelski, who is also busy expanding the John Wick franchise, discussed his approach to taking on multiple projects at once. "But I am focused on the John Wick world, and I’m trying to infuse things I love into the right fit. But the real growth happens afterwards, when you have time to reflect on all the sh*tty mistakes you made and all the things that I could have done better, and then you get the new influence of the filter effect of life. Like, just going to New York for a week and scouting there [for Highlander]…I’m doing Highlander next. So now I’m in that kind of mode," he said.
According to MovieWeb, the Highlander reboot will follow a similar plot to the 1986 original, which follows swordsman Connor MacLeod as he discovers that he is one of a number of immortal warriors who can be killed only by beheading. However, the reboot will make some changes, with Stahelski revealing that the story will transform Cavill’s immortal into a 500-year-old expert martial artist.
"We’re bringing it forward from the early 1500s in the highlands to the beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong, and seeing how it goes. There’s big opportunity for action. There’s a chance to play a character that not a lot of people get to play. And it’s a bit of a love story, but not how you think. On John Wick, I learned a lot on how to bend the storytelling a little… another kind of myth," Stahelski explained.
"My selling point was, to [Henry Cavill], look, you’ve got a guy that’s been alive for over 500 years. He’s the last person in the world that wanted to be in this situation. So you get to cover quite a broad spread of a character arc there. And you get to experience someone that’s trained over 500 years and sort of played [with many types of] martial arts…"
The Highlander reboot is expected to be released in 2026. Meanwhile, the John Wick franchise will grow with next month’s spin-off From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, as well as the documentary Wick Is Pain, which is due to be released on digital on May 9.
Stahelski’s comments suggest that the reboot will bring a fresh take to the franchise, while maintaining the core elements that fans have come to expect. With Cavill on board as the lead, the project is sure to generate significant interest among fans of the original.
The news of the Highlander reboot has been met with excitement from fans, who have been eagerly awaiting a new take on the franchise. With Stahelski at the helm and Cavill in the lead, the project has the potential to be a major hit. MovieWeb will continue to provide updates on the project as more information becomes available.
In related news, the John Wick franchise continues to expand, with multiple spin-offs and sequels in development. Stahelski’s comments suggest that he is committed to delivering high-quality storytelling and action sequences, which has been a hallmark of the John Wick franchise.
The Highlander franchise has a dedicated fan base, and the reboot has the potential to attract both old and new fans. With a talented cast and crew on board, the project is sure to be one to watch in the coming years.
As reported by MovieWeb, Lionsgate is behind the production of the film, which is sure to be a major player in the upcoming action fantasy releases.
The original Highlander film, released in 1986, was a critical and commercial success, and it has since become a cult classic. The reboot has the potential to introduce the franchise to a new generation of fans, while also delivering a fresh take on the original story.
With Stahelski’s vision and Cavill’s involvement, the Highlander reboot is shaping up to be an exciting project. MovieWeb will continue to provide updates on the project as more information becomes available.
