Chad Stahelski, known for his creative direction and stunt work in Keanu Reeves’ John Wick franchise, is helming the much-awaited Highlander reboot with Man of Steel star Henry Cavill in the lead. The director signed to spearhead the project in 2016, while the Superman actor joined the team in 2021.
Based on the 1986 fantasy action film, Highlander will explore the hidden world of immortals from centuries ago. It was directed by Russell Mulcahy with Christopher Lambert as the mystical Russell Nash.
Chad Stahelski Discusses Upcoming Highlander Project
In an interview with Screen Rant, former stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski revealed his passion for the upcoming reboot of Highlander and the reason behind his desire to explore more of its mythology. He stated:
“If you’re a fan at all, you know about the TV shows and the mythology there, the things that worked in the feature aspect of the franchise, what didn’t. I would like to think that it has — I guess, I hope I’m bringing to it the realization of the potential that we all see in that franchise. Now, we probably don’t love all the other ancillary stuff that’s come out of it, but we love the potential of it.”
Stahelski felt there could be more to the franchise because of the vastness of its potential. He wants to touch on some aspects that could be relatable to people:
“For whatever reason, 20 years later, I want more Highlander. I think that franchise with the mythology of people going through the centuries, and the burden of immortality as much as the wish fulfillment of immortality, you know, how you relate to people you love and don’t love, both mortal and immortal, and what you can do with that is some of the most romantic, interesting, existential stuff I’ve ever seen.”
He also noted how the franchise would be an experimenting ground as well as a new avenue to channel his other artistic vision because it is far from what he worked on in the famed John Wick series. Stahelski further added:
“I think it’s a playground for everything that I love about the John Wick series and everything that I can’t do in the John Wick series because I’m dealing with mortals, so it gives me another realm to play in. So, I just look at it as a natural evolution of world building and potential behind that is more than any other property that I’m attached to.”
The director hopes to devote more time to the upcoming project and assures fans that he will use all of his talents to bring this long-overdue reboot of Highlander to life.
Chad Stahelski Promises To Stay Faithful To The Original Highlander Movie
The Highlander reboot will be the most significant work of Chad Stahelski after Keanu Reeves’ John Wick films. Receiving a production budget of over $100 million, fans could expect this is going to be one epic tale of adventure.
Speaking with Digital Spy, the Rainbow Six director shared his love for the original film and how he wants to keep its vibe while bringing a fresh take on it. He confessed:
“We’re still in early development, and finding the right people to develop the script. I love the original. I know it’s dated in certain ways, but I love the vibe and the mythology. So, my take on it would be to somehow maintain the vibe and mythology and feeling of the first movie.”
He further vowed to make a faithful remake that would capture the fascinating world of the immortals:
“Not go off the rails with too much plot, and really develop the world of the immortals. I don’t care what the mortals are doing. I want to be invested in the immortal world and hold true to the original as much as I can.”
Highlander is one of the most loved franchises in the world, with five Highlander films already made, two TV series, one animated series, ten original novels, and nineteen comic book issues to date.
