Amazon MGM Studios has unanimously voted to acquire announced the rights to exclusively reboot the legendary Highlander franchise. They all pledge to bring a new vision to this mythical tale that first charmed audiences way back in 1986. And yes, that’s Henry Cavill in the new film. Chad Stahelski, best known for directing blockbusters in the John Wick franchise, is on board as director. This savvy play shows Amazon’s clear and present intention to make Cavill its new go-to leading man for action franchises.
Highlander ain’t just an iconic action fantasy — it’s a cultural touchstone that originated in 1986. Starring Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, it centers around an immortal warrior who comes to learn about his special gifts and fights other immortals through history. It became such a phenomenon that it spawned four sequels. It helped give birth to a spinoff television series that aired beginning in 1992, featuring Adrian Paul as Duncan MacLeod, a descendant of Connor. The series lasted for six exciting seasons and included 119 fascinating episodes. It deepened Highlander lore further by submerging audiences in a history where immortals intertwined with mortals, all while hidden in plain sight.
From the titular blade work of the Highlander franchise, which claims that immortals have been around since the beginning of time, immortals can never die. A central theme of the series revolves around the contest between these beings, governed by three strict rules: combat on Holy Ground is forbidden, battles must be one-on-one, and ultimately, “there can only be one.” The same principles have driven the narrative for most of the franchise’s history. These principles are similarly poised to carry the load in the next reboot.
Stashelski, who directs this go-around, wanted to do justice to the character’s evolution. My personal selling point was, to [Henry Cavill], look, you’ve got a guy that’s been alive for over 500 years. He’s the first person in the world that would have not wanted to get caught in this net,” he said. This approach suggests there would be more of an exploration into the character’s motivations and inner conflict beyond just amateur sword fighting.
Henry Cavill himself has tweeted up a storm about taking on this iconic role. “I was, am, a Highlander fan. They were great fun movies. And of course I watched them originally when I was much younger, and rewatched since. I really enjoyed the lore behind it. He captures perfectly the tragic warrior’s spirit. That’s hardly the point of his story, which is much more than the tales of a really great guy with a sword. This goes a step even deeper into that,” he continued.
Amazon MGM is hoping to successfully reinvent this cherished franchise. In addition, they’re leaning hard on Cavill as the center of their action film universe. This reboot provides Amazon with a unique opportunity to breathe new life into a timeless, classic story. Most importantly, it brings that narrative to a new generation of readers. Though details on its release are still being kept close to the chest, sources say that it will be released mainly through streaming services.
The Highlander franchise still continues to win over audiences today. It has become the basis for innumerable other works in the fantasy genre. With its original premise and complex characters, it hasn’t stopped captivating imaginations. The new reboot hopes to continue in this legacy while providing new storytelling and exciting action set pieces.