Highlander, the 80s sword dueling genre epic backed by an iconic Queen soundtrack, that spawned several spinoffs, is getting a reboot. According to Deadline, Lionsgate will launch sales for the new Highlander movie at the American Film Market. Henry Cavill, known for his roles in Man of Steel and The Witcher, remains attached to the lead role. Chad Stahelski, the director of all the John Wick films, plans to direct this feature. Mike Finch (John Wick: Chapter 4) penned the latest version of the screenplay.

According to the outlet, the Highlander reboot plans to be a high-budget venture, exceeding $100M. Director Stahelski has likened it to a sword-infused version of John Wick. The team aims to begin production in 2024.

The upcoming film is a reimagining of the 1986 classic, with Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown as immortal beings battling for power. Lambert played the titular character, Connor MacLeod (…of the clan MacLeoud). The iconic tagline “There can be only one” sparked a franchise with four sequels and three TV series. This includes the popular USA series starring Adrian Paul. The original film also had a memorable soundtrack by Queen. The song “Princes of the Universe” opened as the theme to the Highlander TV show.

The Team Behind the ‘Highlander’ Reboot is A-List Talent

This news is a shot in the arm for insiders, considering the significant impact the SAG-AFTRA strike has had on the selection of available titles at the AFM. With renowned talent attached and the enduring popularity of the Highlander franchise, there is bound to be immense interest in this project.

Coming off of the sword and sorcery show The Witcher, Henry Cavill seems like a great choice as the lead in Highlander. Of course, Cavill, known for his role as Superman, continues to be highly sought after in the industry. Currently, he has multiple projects in post-production, including Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle and two films helmed by Guy Ritchie. One of these is a World War II picture titled The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Stahelski, the director of all four John Wick films, prints money for Lionsgate, raking in over $1 billion. He had previously mentioned the possibility of a new Highlander trilogy. As of yet, there has been no confirmation on whether that plan is still in motion.

If there are plans to start filming in the coming months, other casting news is sure to follow. However, it seems likely that another A-list actor would star opposite Cavill as the villain. Previously, there were rumors of Dave Bautista playing the role of the villain. However, it’s been so long that it’s unlikely he’s still involved.