A year ago, Lionsgate whisked Henry Cavill away to the mesmerizing city of Las Vegas, where he captivated audiences at CinemaCon with captivating tales of his rigorous sword training, undertaken in preparation for his leading role in the studio's highly anticipated "Highlander" reboot. The ambitious project, nurtured for nearly a decade by filmmaker Chad Stahelski, finally seemed poised on the brink of realization.
Now, the venture is indeed still progressing, albeit with a shift in direction. It is set to sail under the banner of Amazon MGM Studios' United Artists, which is locked in final negotiations to acquire the package from Lionsgate. Envisioned as a grand theatrical spectacle, the film promises to mesmerize audiences worldwide.
Once upon a time, Lionsgate harbored grand plans for a "Highlander" universe, with Stahelski at the helm, overseeing every facet. However, the new deal will grant UA exclusive rights to the iconic franchise, which traces its origins back to the 1986 cult classic featuring immortal warriors, starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery. As the tagline famously declares, "there can only be one," these warriors clash in epic battles, growing ever stronger with each immortal they vanquish, until only one stands victorious. The original film sparked four sequels and three television series, cementing its legacy in cinematic history.
Under the terms of the deal, UA's Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt will spearhead the production, joined by Neal H. Moritz, who will collaborate with Stahelski's 87Eleven Entertainment. Michael Fench, who contributed to Stahelski's "John Wick: Chapter 4," will craft the screenplay.
Cavill has been a dedicated part of the project since 2021, while Stahelski has been involved since 2016. The filmmaker once revealed to The Hollywood Reporter, "Cracking the 'Highlander' nut is challenging because the property is so intricate and the mythology runs deep. Striving to make it our own while staying true to the original, yet infusing it with our unique vision, is a delicate balance. We don't aim for a remake or a reinvention. Instead, we seek to create something fresh and vibrant, leveraging the beloved mythology from the first film."
Cavill is already in partnership with Amazon, starring in its forthcoming "Voltron" movie and developing "Warhammer 40,000" as a potential franchise.
Cavill is represented by WME and Sloane Offer, while Stahelski is represented by WME and Johnson Shapiro. Finch is managed by Verve Talent and Literary Agency and Kleinberg Lange.
