Hot off “John Wick: Chapter 4,” Chad Stahelski is gearing up for his next big project: a reboot of “Highlander.” Henry Cavill is set to star in the lead role, and today we learned of another major actor joining the cast.
Collider is reporting that none other than Russell Crowe will be joining Cavill. The Oscar-winner will play Cavill’s mentor in a variation on the part played by Sean Connery in the 1986 original.
This project’s had multiple production delays, Stahelski last mentioned that it would shoot in January, but then “Ballerina” needed some refining. Regardless, the film will start production this September, with a potential release eyed for late 2026.
Stahelski, the guy who turned “John Wick” into a billion-dollar franchise, wanted a $180M budget to relaunch “Highlander.” Lionsgate balked, capping their interest at a still-eye-opening $165M. Amazon, because they light cigars with money, said sure, and took over the project. The script was written by Michael Finch, co-writer of “John Wick: Chapter 4.”
The film will no doubt showcase Stahelski’s signature style—balletic action, especially in sword fighting; it will probably be, stylistically speaking, very different from the 1986 original, which notoriously spawned three terrible sequels.
“It’s another opportunity to do a property that I love,” Stahelski told Collider. “I love what it’s about, I love working with immortality and love stories through time. I think it’s a good way to take a great period piece, and sci-fi, and mix them together.”
Stahelski, 57, began his career as a stuntman, first gaining recognition as a stunt performer, coordinator, and Keanu Reeves’ double in 1999’s “The Matrix.” He transitioned to directing with 2014’s “John Wick,” and his filmography since has consisted exclusively of four ‘Wick’ installments. “Highlander” will mark his first directing project outside of that franchise.
Reeves is supposed to direct, David E. Kelley is writing, and just like that, Apple got cold feet — the usual “creative differences” excuse is being cited in the report, and maybe that was indeed the case.