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Draft:Highlander (upcoming film)

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Highlander
Directed byChad Stahelski
Screenplay by
  • Kerry Williamson
  • Mike Finch
Based on
Produced by
Starring
Music byTyler Bates
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate Films
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget>$100 million[1]

Highlander is an upcoming American action fantasy film, directed by Chad Stahelski, written by Kerry Williamson and Mike Finch, and stars Henry Cavill and Dave Bautista. It is a reboot of the film franchise of the same name. The film will be released by Lionsgate Films.

Plot

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An immortal Scottish warrior must fight the Kurgen to achieve a coveted ability.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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On May 20, 2008, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Summit Entertainment was planning a remake of Highlander (1986) with Art Marcum and Matt Holloway writing the script and Peter Davis set to produce the new film, while in September 22, 2009, Justin Lin and Neal H. Moritz had signed on to direct and produce the remake, respectively.[4] In March 2010, Moritz stated in an interview that "We're staying true to the mythologies as a whole of the Highlander series. Now there are certain things between all the different Highlanders that conflict with each other, but we're trying to stay true to the core of what we believe Highlander is, and it's a movie that's going to be made for the fans of Highlander, but also for people who are new to the franchise."[5] On November 8, 2010, Live for Film announced that the film would be titled Highlander: The Reckoning.[6] On February 9, 2011, it was announced that writer Melissa Rosenberg was "in negotiations to come on board the Highlander reboot to work on that script."[7] In an interview with MTV in May 2011, Lin commented on the film, saying "I feel like right now, Highlander is in pretty good shape, but I still have to see all the other things come together for us to go make it."[8] In August, Lin dropped out of the film due to commitments to other projects.[9] Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo later signed on to helm the remake, replacing Lin. However, in December 2012, Fresnadillo left the project due to creative differences.[10] On June 28, 2013, it was announced that Highlander: The Series writer and executive producer David Abramowitz would polish the film's script.[11] On October 28, 2013, Summit hired Cedric Nicolas-Troyan to direct, and stated in April 2016, that he is still involved with the reboot.[12][13] In November 2016, Chad Stahelski was confirmed to direct (instead of Nicolas-Troyan), and to produce with David Leitch under their 87Eleven Entertainment banner as well as their 87Eleven Action Design stunt company joining.[14] In March 2018, Ryan J. Condal was set to write the script.[15] On June 30, 2020, while doing an interview with Discussing Film, Stahelski, when asked about the progress of the film, said: "We're in heavy development mode on Highlander. Tweaking the scripts, writing, conceptualizing sequences, how we're going to do everything. We probably have a lot more in-person kind of things, but it hasn't slowed down our development process at all."[16] On May 21, 2021, Kerry Williamson was revealed as the screenwriter.[2]

On March 24, 2023, Stahleski shared that a challenge for the film was fully depecting the vast mythology.[17] On October 27, 2023, it was reported that Mike Finch wrote the latest draft of the script.[18]

Casting

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On November 8, 2010, Vinnie Jones and Ray Stevenson were rumored to be considered for the role of the Kurgan.[6] In June 2012, Ryan Reynolds was confirmed to play Connor MacLeod,[19] but dropped out in June 2013. On August 29, 2012, Raw Leiba was rumored to star in Fresnadillo's film, either as Ramírez or a smaller role.[20] In November 2014, the studio wanted actor Tom Cruise in the role of Ramírez, but Cruise was busy shooting Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015) and was reportedly not considering future projects at that time.[21] James Jaysen Bryhan has since been rumored to play Ramírez.[22] On February 11, 2015, wrestler turned actor Dave Bautista was cast as The Kurgan.[3] On May 21, 2021, Henry Cavill had been cast in the lead role of Connor MacLeod.[2] Stahelski confirmed Cavill's continued involvement with the project in March 2023.[17] In October 2023, Deadline Hollywood reported that Mike Finch had written the most recent draft of the screenplay, and that the production team was preparing to begin production in 2024.[23]

Filming

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Principal photography is scheduled to begin in January 2025, in Scotland.[24]

Music

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In January 2017, Stahelski revealed that the Queen soundtrack would be incorporated into the reboot and Tyler Bates will score the film.[25]

References

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  1. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (November 7, 2023). "AFM 2023: Five Talking Points, From The Méridien Delfina To The Strike Impact". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (May 21, 2021). "Henry Cavill To Star in Lionsgate's 'Highlander' Reboot From Chad Stahelski". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  3. ^ a b El Mayimbe (February 11, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Dave Bautista To Play The Kurgan In 'Highlander' Reboot". Latino Review. Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  4. ^ "Fast & Furious Director To Remake Highlander". /Film. September 22, 2009. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  5. ^ Weintraub, Steve (March 31, 2010). "Exclusive: Producer Neal H. Moritz on Fast and Furious 5 and 6 Plus Info on the Highlander Reboot". Collider. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Highlander reboot—Vinnie Jones as the Kurgan? - Live for Films". liveforfilms.com. November 8, 2010. Archived from the original on December 7, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  7. ^ Chitwood, Adam (February 9, 2011). "TWILIGHT Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg to Tackle HIGHLANDER Remake Script". Collider. Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  8. ^ Keyes, Rob (May 14, 2011). "Highlander Remake Story & Script Still in The Works". screenrant.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  9. ^ Drees, Rich (August 12, 2011). "Justin Lin Drops Out Of Directing HIGHLANDER Remake". FilmBuffOnline. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  10. ^ O'Neal, Sean (December 3, 2012). "The Highlander Reboot Has Lost Its Director Again". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  11. ^ "And another one gone, and another one gone..." Highlander Heart. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  12. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (October 29, 2013). "Summit Sets Cedric Nicolas-Troyan To Helm 'Highlander' Feature Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  13. ^ Giroux, Jack (April 14, 2016). "Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan Offers an Update on That 'Highlander' Reboot". Slash Film. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  14. ^ Kit, Borys (November 22, 2016). "'John Wick' Director Chad Stahelski Tackling 'Highlander' Reboot (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  15. ^ White, Peter (March 1, 2018). "'Highlander' Reboot Gets Moving After 'Colony' Writer Ryan Condal Hands In Script". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  16. ^ "Chad Stahelski Talks Stunt Recognition & Upcoming Projects - Exclusive Interview". DiscussingFilm. June 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Fleming Jr., Mike (March 24, 2023). "'John Wick' Franchise Director Chad Stahelski On Permanently Retiring Keanu Reeves' Hitman & Why Academy Must Add Stunts To Oscars Categories". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 27, 2023). "Lionsgate Moving Forward With Henry Cavill & Chad Stahelski 'Highlander' Reboot As Action-Fantasy Pic Heads To AFM To Enliven A Strike-Hit Market". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  19. ^ Gallagher, Brian (June 27, 2012). "Ryan Reynolds Confirmed as Highlander". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  20. ^ Chaitman, Steven (August 29, 2012). "Actor/Stuntman Raw Leiba Linked To Roles In Highlander And Black Panther". We Got This Covered. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  21. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 19, 2014). "Tom Cruise Courted to Co-Star in 'Highlander' Reboot (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  22. ^ "Highlander reboot". The Daily Record. November 2, 2016. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  23. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (October 27, 2023). "Lionsgate Moving Forward With Henry Cavill & Chad Stahelski 'Highlander' Reboot As Action-Fantasy Pic Heads To AFM To Enliven A Strike-Hit Market". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  24. ^ McPherson, Chris (June 30, 2024). "Here's When Chad Stahelski's 'Highlander' Reboot Begins Filming in Scotland [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  25. ^ Foutch, Haleigh (January 30, 2017). "'Highlander': Director Chad Stahelski Planning a Trilogy; Offers Updates, Reveals Possible Rating". Collider.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
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