With his John Wick co-director David Leitch signing on to direct Deadpool 2, Chad Stahelski has now found his next project, with the filmmaker set to helm Lionsgate’s long-gestating reboot of the cult 1986 action fantasy Highlander.
“I’ve been a huge fan of the original property since I saw it in high school,” Stahelski tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Such great themes of immortality, love, and identity are all wrapped up in such colorful mythology. I can’t think of a better property that gives the opportunity to create interesting characters, mythic themes and action set pieces.”
Lionsgate has been developing the Highlander reboot since 2008, with directors Justin Lin, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and Cedric Nicolas-Troyan all attached at one point or another. Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds was also set to take on the lead role of Connor MacLeod, played by Christopher Lambert in the original movie.
Released in 1986, Highlander saw Lambert’s Connor MacLeod and Clancy Brown’s The Kurgan as immortal warriors competing for ‘The Prize’. , Sean Connery also starred as MacLeod’s mentor, Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez. It was followed by four forgettable sequels, along with three television spinoffs.
Stahelski is currently putting the finishing touches to John Wick: Chapter 2, which is set for release on February 10th.
Originally published November 22, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
