The long-awaited Highlander reboot gets a new pre-production update and a filming start window from its director. The Highlander franchise began in 1986 with the movie of the same name, starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery, and directed by Russell Mulcahy. The movie was a box office flop but went on to become a cult favorite, spawning three additional theatrical sequels and two live-action TV shows. The Highlander reboot was first announced in 2008 before languishing in development; it was then confirmed in 2023 that Lionsgate was moving forward with the project.

The movie will see The Witcher star Henry Cavill in the lead role of Connor MacLeod, a centuries-old immortal known as a “Highlander,” who must battle other immortals in an event known as the Gathering. It will be helmed by John Wick director Chad Stahelski, who revealed to Collider that filming on Highlander will begin in January in Scotland, while pre-production is underway right now. Check out his comments below:

We start shooting in January in Scotland, that’s why I go right after I leave. I go to Scotland on Monday to do the final location scout.

Why The Highlander Filming Update Is Good News For The Franchise

The New Highlander Movie Already Sounds Promising

The Highlander franchise has always been a complex one, with the movies developing strong followings on home video despite underperforming at the box office. The critical and financial failure of 2007’s Highlander: The Source seemingly halted any chance of another installment. However, Stahelski’s update is great news for the franchise. A brand-new Highlander movie, which will reboot the series and put a new spin on the story, could be just what is needed to freshen up the franchise, and attract a newer audience.

Stahelski’s involvement also bodes well, considering his experience behind the camera for the John Wick franchise, and he will be able to bring some stylized action and substance to Highlander. The box office success of the John Wick movies, combined with Stahelski’s love for the Highlander source material, should see the director put his personal stamp on the movie. He has already spoken about how he is keen to balance sword fighting with action sequences, and his excitement about working with storylines about immortality.

Cavill’s Highlander training has reportedly been intense, and this suggests that the action sequences could be pretty spectacular. The Brit will be keen to be involved in another successful franchise, following his departures from both The Witcher and the DC Universe, and hopes will be high that the movie can become a success at the box office. It could generate a new set of Highlander movies that can explore new stories and feed into the mythology of the franchise.

Source: Collider