HIGHLANDER reboot, starring Henry Cavill, coming in 2026!

The Henry Cavill Highlander reboot has been in development for some time, bringing back the classic fantasy movie. 1986’s Highlander follows a Celtic warrior who was part of an ancient race of immortals who battle one another throughout the centuries until only one is left standing (leading to the oft-quoted “there can only be one”). The 1986 movie kicked off an expansive Highlander franchise that included theatrical sequels, a live-action television show, and a kids’ animated movie.

The Highlander movies after the 1986 classic never rose to the levels of the original, leading to an inconsistent cinematic franchise that nevertheless had an intriguing mythology. However, the original remains a favorite of many fans with its sword-fighting action, fun world-building, and a talented cast that includes Christopher Lambert, Clancy Brown, and Sean Connery. The reboot has also gone through a lot of talent with Ryan Reynolds in talks to star at one point, while directors like Justin Lin and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo have been attached at one point or another.

highlander 1986 movie poster

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Henry Cavill’s long-awaited Highlander reboot is finally moving forwards but it needs to take some steps to avoid the franchise’s past mistakes.

Highlander Reboot: Latest News

The Highlander Franchise Changes Hands

A custom image Christopher Lambert as Highlander in front of lightningCustom Image by SR Image Editor

Though it isn’t expected to delay the film’s development, the latest news confirms that Highlander‘s rights have changed hands. Formerly a Lionsgate property, the forthcoming Henry Cavill film, as well as the rest of the franchise rights, are shifting to Amazon MGM’s United Artists banner. This deal not only includes the movie, but would allow United Artists to produce TV series as well as other off-shoots from the Highlander franchise.

The Highlander Reboot Is Confirmed

The Reboot Has Been In Development Since 2008

Christopher Lambert holding a sword on a mountain in Highlander.

Summit Entertainment first bought the rights to Highlander in 2008 with plans for a remake. The initial plan was for Justin Lin to direct with the title planned as Highlander: Reckoning. When Lin dropped out in 2011, 28 Weeks Later director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo was hired, who himself stepped away from the project shortly after.

Chad Stahelski has been attached to direct since 2016, making it Stahelski’s first movie outside of the John Wick franchise. John Wick 4‘s Michael Finch is also involved and has written the script for the current project. While it looked for a while as though Highlander could get stuck in development hell, things are now moving on the project. A shooting start date of January 2025 was announced, but Highlander‘s development has further been delayed by re-shoots for Ballerina (the John Wick spinoff).

Highlander Reboot Production Status

When Will The Reboot Be Released?

A composite image of Henry Cavill looking surprised as Geralt in The Witcher and Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLean standing in a ray of light in HighlanderCustom Image by SR Image Editor

In a company investor call, it was announced by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Darke that a release window for the Highlander reboot has been set. The studio is now aiming for a 2026 release, although no further details were announced. It has since been revealed that the Highlander reboot would begin filming in Scotland in January 2025, but that plan has been disrupted by delays in the shooting of Stahelski’s John Wick spinoff, Ballerina.

Highlander Reboot Cast

Henry Cavill Leads The Highlander Reboot

 

Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia holding a sword in The Witcher. Geralt talking to Dijkstra in The Witcher season 3 episode 6 Henry Cavill looking down with an angry expression in The Witcher

The only confirmed member of the Highlander reboot cast as of now is Henry Cavill. Cavill has been signed on to the Highlander project since 2021 alongside Chad Stahelski as director. Given that Cavill exited the role of Geralt in The Witcher, it is easy to see him stepping into another role as a sword-wielding hero with him presumably taking the role of Connor MacLeod.

With Chad Stahelski’s confirmation that the Highlander reboot would use a lot of the same characters from the original, it is easy to determine some of the other key roles that will be needed for the movie. The main villain of the movie is the barbarian Kurgan, played by Clancy Brown in the original. Actors like Vinnie Jones and the late Ray Stevenson were rumored for the role, while Dave Bautista was an earlier candidate for the role and could easily still play the intimidating villain.

Highlander Reboot Story

What Will Happen In The Reboot?

A promo image of Highlander featuring Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert standing back to back

The basic premise of Highlander is that there are immortal warriors who have existed throughout time, that gather periodically to do battle. While the original movie ended with Connor defeating Kurgan and seemingly becoming the last immortal, the Highlander spinoff television series explained that there were other immortals out there so that the franchise could continue. Chad Stahelski seems to understand the same dilemma as he spoke about the Highlander reboot setting up The Gathering rather than depicting it.

Chad Stahelski gave a Highlander update in which he explained that the new movie would be pulled from the original as well as the television show to create a new story that is planned as a new franchise. Stahelki revealed, “we’re trying to do a bit of a prequel, a setup to The Gathering, so we have room to grow the property.” He also confirmed that it wouldn’t be a totally new Highlander story as “our story engages a lot of the same characters and stuff like that.“