For more than a decade, there have been talks of remaking the 1986 action-adventure fantasy film ‘Highlander’. The film revolved around a 16th century immortal Scottish swordsman (played by Christopher Lambert), who is embroiled in a longstanding war between immortal warriors and must face a formidable opponent (Clancy Brown). The film also starred legendary actor Sean Connery in a prominent role.
Apparently, the project development for remaking the cult film felt as long drawn as the war between the immortal warriors portrayed in the film. Initially, ‘Fast & Furious’ director Justin Lin was reportedly involved in the project. A few years later and after a change of writers, ‘28 Weeks Later’ director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo was said to be roped in, to helm the project.
Then, at one point of time, ‘Deadpool’ star Ryan Reynolds was in talks to play the lead role in the new film. News about Hollywood actor Tom Cruise essaying the role that Sean Connery had played in the original film was ostensibly doing rounds. Subsequently, ‘Army of the Dead’ actor Dave Bautista was reportedly considered for the role of the primary antagonist.
Amidst the game of musical chairs, the association of stunt coordinator turned filmmaker Chad Stahelski (to helm the reboot), who is well known for directing the ‘John Wick’ film franchise starring Keanu Reeves, has been constant for about five years. And now, as per a recent report via Deadline, the freshest icing on the cake is the casting of ‘Man of Steel’ actor Henry Cavill for an undisclosed role in the film.
It is unclear that out of the three primary characters from the 1986 ‘Highlander’ film namely Connor MacLeod (originally played by Christopher Lambert), Ramirez (originally played by Sean Connery) and Kurgan (originally played by Clancy Brown), which of these characters is Henry Cavill being considered for. Or whether he will be playing a different character from all of these, remains to be seen.
Henry Cavill, who came into limelight after playing the popular DC comics character Superman in ‘Man of Steel’ further cemented his position as a bankable performer in Guy Ritchie’s spy film ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’, then featuring alongside Tom Cruise in a ‘Mission: Impossible’ film, to essaying the lead character in Netflix fantasy adventure series ‘The Witcher’ and eventually starring as Sherlock Holmes in the 2020 film ‘Enola Holmes’.
Fans of Henry Cavill will be in for a real treat to see the charismatic actor in the ambitious reboot of yet another highly successful film franchise – ‘Highlander’. Keep watching this space for further updates regarding the film.