Editing Highlander (franchise) (section)

==Films==
===''Highlander'' (1986)===
{{Main|Highlander (film)}}
The original film ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]'', directed by [[Russell Mulcahy]], was released on March 7, 1986, with the tagline "There Can Be Only One". The film features a number of flashback scenes establishing the early history of [[Connor MacLeod]] (Christopher Lambert) of the [[Clan MacLeod]]. After dying on the battlefield in 1536 and returning to life fully healed, Connor is mentored by an Egyptian swordsman calling himself [[Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez]] ([[Sean Connery]]). The young Highlander learns he and others are among a rare number of humans born throughout history in different parts of the world who possess the "Quickening", a power that connects them to nature, leaves them unable to have children, and makes them ageless and unable to die unless beheaded. Immortals can absorb the Quickening of another by taking their head, and so many battle one another in mortal combat to increase their power. Ramírez says that one day when only a few remain they will be pulled to a "faraway land" and fight in the Gathering, where the final survivor will take [[Immortal (Highlander)#The Prize|the Prize]]: the collected power of all immortals who ever lived, enough power to enslave humanity.

In the film's present-day story, the Gathering is now occurring in 1985 in [[New York City]] where MacLeod lives as an antique dealer, working alongside his adopted daughter Rachel. The Highlander still lives and must ensure the Prize is not won by [[The Kurgan]] ([[Clancy Brown]]), the same ruthless immortal who once hunted him and killed Ramírez centuries before. As the final battle draws near, MacLeod reflects on his life with his adopted daughter Rachel Ellenstein ([[Sheila Gish]]) and meets a new love, forensics scientist Brenda Wyatt ([[Roxanne Hart]]).

The film was titled ''Shadow Clan'' and ''Princes of the Universe''<ref name="Queen Online: Album Details: A Kind of Magic">{{cite web |url= http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/kind-magic/ |title= Archived copy |access-date= 2022-12-23 |archive-date= 2012-03-10 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120310194224/http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/kind-magic/ |url-status= bot: unknown}}</ref> in the earliest drafts. Upon its release, the film was not a financial success and was poorly reviewed by critics, but it gained a strong cult following, was a hit internationally, and is regarded by many as the best film in the series.

The original orchestral score was composed by Michael Kamen. [[Queen (band)|Queen]] produced and performed the soundtrack, released as the album ''[[A Kind of Magic]]'' (a reference to a line used by Connor in the film to explain his ability to survive death). Sounds from the soundtrack were also used in ''[[Highlander: The Series]]'', and the track, "[[Princes of the Universe]]" became the theme song for the show's opening title introduction.

The film grossed $12.9 million worldwide, with $5.9 million in the United States and Canada.<ref name=numbers>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Highlander#tab=summary|title=Highlander|work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=August 6, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407103330/http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Highlander#tab=summary|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===''Highlander II: The Quickening'' (1991)===
{{Main|Highlander II: The Quickening}}
''[[Highlander II: The Quickening]]'' was initially directed by Russell Mulcahy. Filming was done almost entirely in [[Argentina]]. After the country's economy crashed, the film's investors took direct control of the film, removing Mulcahy and his creative influence while altering the story. Released on November 1, 1991, the film mainly takes place in 2024, with flashbacks to events on Earth in the 1990s and also the planet Zeist "500 years ago". The film offers an origin story for immortals, depicting Ramírez and MacLeod as alien revolutionaries of Zeist who oppose the corrupt rulers and General Katana ([[Michael Ironside]]). Ramírez and MacLeod, who share a bond due to a magic called "the Quickening", are then exiled to Earth along with others. On Earth they become immortal and are forced to kill each other until only one is left alive. The winner will have a choice: to become mortal and live out their life on Earth or return to Zeist now pardoned of all crimes. This origin story contradicts the age and history of Ramírez in the first film, Connor's childhood growing up in Scotland, and the circumstances of how the two first met, but no explanation is offered for these contradictions. ''Highlander II'' also does not explain why MacLeod no longer seems to have access to the power he won at the end of the previous film, which allowed him to know the thoughts and dreams of all living people. Only the mortality he earned is mentioned.

In the film's main story, the [[ozone layer]] deteriorates and many are killed by solar radiation by 1994, including Brenda Wyatt (now said to be Connor's wife). In 1999, MacLeod supervises a team that creates an energy Shield across the planet. Earth is protected but can no longer see the sky or natural sunlight. By 2024, humanity is now largely in despair as society is overwhelmed by violence and crime. The Shield is now under control of The Shield Corporation (TSC), which charges countries heavily for its protection. Having won the Prize in 1985, MacLeod became mortal and has physically aged into a frail old man. Worried the Highlander may still return to Zeist, Katana sends immortal henchmen after him. MacLeod defends himself and his attackers die, their immortal energies restoring his youth. He allies with Louise Marcus ([[Virginia Madsen]]), a political radical who knows the ozone has healed and that TSC is covering up the truth in order to continue profits. Joining them is Ramírez, whom MacLeod summons back to life through their magical bond. They fight Katana and finally free Earth from the Shield.

When ''Highlander II'' was released in 1991, it was poorly reviewed by critics worldwide, and is now considered to be one of the [[worst films ever made]].<ref>Hicks, Chris. [http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1,1257,792,00.html "Highlander II: The Quickening"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230191858/http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1,1257,792,00.html|date=2008-12-30}} ''Deseret News''.</ref> Russell Mulcahy was disappointed with the film and later made his own '''''Renegade Version''''' [[director's cut]] by re-editing the footage and removing all verbal reference to the immortals being aliens from a planet called Zeist. The Zeist footage was repurposed as a flashback to an ancient, technologically advanced civilization that existed on Earth before recorded history (the name and location of this civilization is not said). MacLeod and Ramírez were now said to have been members of this ancient society and it is stated that they, along with Katana and others, are once again rare human beings born with their immortality. While the film still shows Ramírez wielding a form of magic, it is no longer called the Quickening. The rulers of this ancient society then banished the immortal revolutionaries and criminals to different points in the future, allowing Ramírez to be sent to ancient Egypt while MacLeod becomes a Highlander in 16th century Scotland, the two of them reuniting later. It is said the winner of the Prize can either become mortal and live out their life "in the future" or choose to return to their original civilization in the distant past.<ref>''Highlander II: To Be or Not to Be a Sequel?'' 1997. DVD. Republic Pictures.</ref>

In 2004, a ''Special Edition'' was released, featuring several distinct alterations, including new computer-generated visual effects throughout the film (and changing the Shield from red to dark blue as originally intended). Though many fans regarded the ''Renegade Version'' and ''Special Edition'' as being better than the original film, the general reception was still somewhat mixed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mutantreviewers.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/highlander-ii-renegade-version-and-the-saving-of-a-bad-sequel/|title=Highlander II: Renegade Version and the Saving of a Bad Sequel|last=Al|date=19 October 2009}}</ref><ref>''Highlander II: Seduced by Argentina''. Dir. Jonathan Gaines. 2004. DVD. Lions Gate Entertainment.</ref>

===''Highlander III: The Sorcerer'' (1994)===
{{Main|Highlander III: The Sorcerer}}
''[[Highlander III: The Sorcerer]]'' (alternatively titled ''Highlander: The Final Dimension'') was released in late 1994 in the [[Philippines]] and the [[United Kingdom]] and on January 27, 1995, in the United States. It is a direct sequel to the original film, ignoring and contradicting the story of ''Highlander II''. Following Brenda Wyatt's death in a car crash in 1987, MacLeod is living in Marrakesh with his adopted son John. In 1994, he is hunted by the warrior Kane ([[Mario Van Peebles]]) who missed the original Gathering because he was buried deep in a Japanese cave by magic, isolating him from the Game. Having killed and absorbed the power of MacLeod's second teacher, the sorcerer Nakano ([[Mako (actor)|Mako]]), Kane is a master of illusion. Realizing there are other immortals again, Connor returns to New York to ensure Kane does not win the Prize. Along the way, he finds a new love, archaeologist Dr. Alex Johnson ([[Deborah Unger]]) who resembles a woman MacLeod loved during the [[French Revolution]]. Kane kidnaps John and lures MacLeod to a final battle in New Jersey. MacLeod wins and leaves to start a new life with John and Alex.

The film grossed $36.7 million worldwide, with $13.7 million in the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 19, 1996|page=1|last=Klady|first=Leonard|title=B.O. with a vengeance: $9.1 billion worldwide}}</ref> Critics claim that it was little more than rehash of the first film.<ref name="filmcritic">{{cite web |last=Null |first=Christopher |title=Highlander: The Final Dimension |url=http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/reviews/Highlander-The-Final-Dimension |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308185059/http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/reviews/Highlander-The-Final-Dimension |archive-date=8 March 2008 |access-date=4 December 2023 |website=FilmCritic.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Alex |date=2014-09-04 |title=Looking back at Highlander III: The Sorcerer |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/looking-back-at-highlander-iii-the-sorcerer/ |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="bbc review">{{cite web |date=October 5, 2000 |title=Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1994) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2000/10/05/highlander_iii_1994_review.shtml |access-date=4 December 2023 |website=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

===''Highlander: Endgame'' (2000)===
{{Main|Highlander: Endgame}}
''[[Highlander: Endgame]]'' was released to theaters on September 1, 2000. Rather than a direct sequel in the ''Highlander'' film franchise, it followed the continuity of the recently ended ''[[Highlander: The Series]]'', acting as a franchise bridge by starring both previous film protagonist Connor MacLeod and TV series protagonist [[Duncan MacLeod]]. In the canon of the TV series, the events of the original ''Highlander'' film still took place but the Prize was not won because many immortals still lived on Earth in 1985. The series protagonist Duncan is introduced in the first episode as another immortal of the Clan MacLeod who was born decades after Connor left the clan. Christopher Lambert appeared as Connor in the first episode, revealed to have been Duncan's teacher in the ways of immortals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flipsidearchive.com/highlanderendgame.html|title=Highlander: Endgame - Movie Review - Flipside Movie Emporium|access-date=2014-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428051648/http://www.flipsidearchive.com/highlanderendgame.html|archive-date=2014-04-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Taking place in the present day, the film's antagonist is Jacob Kell ([[Bruce Payne]]), an evil immortal who ignores the rules of the Game. Kell holds a centuries-old grudge against Connor MacLeod and kills his adopted daughter Rachel Ellenstein when he bombs their old antique shop in New York City. Following Rachel's death, Connor is disillusioned with life and spends a decade in a hidden fortress known as the Sanctuary. When Kell discovers the Sanctuary ten years later, Connor and Duncan join forces against him. Believing neither of them can defeat Kell alone, Connor, tired of his immortal life, insists he be killed by Duncan so the younger MacLeod may possess their combined power. Duncan reluctantly does so and defeats Kell.

Critical reaction to ''Highlander: Endgame'' was negative. It holds a 11% "rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 52 reviews,<ref>[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/highlander_endgame/ Rotten Tomatoes entry on Highlander: Endgame], retrieved January 15, 2010.</ref> higher than ''Highlander II'' and ''Highlander III'', both of which hold ratings of 5% or lower,<ref>[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/highlander_2_the_quickening/ Rotten Tomatoes entry on Highlander 2], retrieved January 15, 2010.</ref><ref>[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/highlander_3_the_final_dimension/ Rotten Tomatoes entry on Highlander 3], retrieved January 15, 2010.</ref> and a score of 21 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 16 reviews.<ref>[https://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/highlanderendgame?q=Highlander:%20Endgame Metacritic entry on Highlander: Endgame] {{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, retrieved January 15, 2010.</ref>

The film was a [[box office bomb]], managing to garner $15m of its $25m budget. The film opened at #3, grossing $5,067,331 in the opening weekend. It went on to gross $12,811,858 domestically and gather $3,031,750 from foreign markets for a worldwide total of $15,843,608. The film however sold better when it was released on DVD. This prompted the producers to release the director's cut version of the film, adding new footage along with better special effects and audio tracks, and re-editing certain parts of the story. The reception to the director's cut was mixed but better than the overall fan reception to the theatrical release.

===''Highlander: The Source'' (2007)===
{{main|Highlander: The Source}}
''[[Highlander: The Source]]'' premiered on the [[Syfy|Sci Fi Channel]] on September 15, 2007, and continues the canon of ''Highlander: The Series'', taking place several years after ''Endgame''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Sci-Fi-Network-To-Air-The-Next-Highlander-Film-5665.html|title=Sci-Fi Network To Air The Next Highlander Film - CINEMABLEND|date=6 August 2007|access-date=16 April 2020|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801150318/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Sci-Fi-Network-To-Air-The-Next-Highlander-Film-5665.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film takes place in a future version of Earth where human society has descended into violence and chaos. Duncan MacLeod and a group of allies seek an energy well in Eastern Europe that may be the legendary Source of immortality, all while fighting the Guardian ([[Cristian Solimeno]]), an immortal empowered with superhuman abilities. The story and the mythology of the ''Source'' were meant to be expanded on with future films, but reception to ''The Source'' was largely negative and plans for follow-up stories were canceled.<ref>[http://highlander-thesource.com/album/secret_site.html Highlander: The Source<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128044716/http://highlander-thesource.com/album/secret_site.html|date=2015-11-28}}</ref> A 2008 short film called "Reunion", written by TV series producer David Abramowitz and directed by Don Paonessa, featured the series characters but did not acknowledge the events of ''Highlander: The Source''. At the Highlander Worldwide Convention the next year, Abramowitz and others from the TV series referred to ''Highlander: The Source'' as a "bad dream" Duncan had. The same year, [[Big Finish Productions]] released officially licensed ''Highlander: The Series'' audio plays that contradicted the events of ''The Source''.

===Future===
In 2008, [[Summit Entertainment]] bought the franchise's rights, with the intention to [[remake]] the original 1986 film. The writers [[Art Marcum and Matt Holloway]] and producer Peter Davis were attached to the project at one point.<ref>[http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/21/a-highlander-remake-from-the-iron-man-writers/ "There Can Be Only One ''Highlander'' Remake"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911081700/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/21/a-highlander-remake-from-the-iron-man-writers/|date=2008-09-11}}. ''Coming Soon.Net''</ref> [[Justin Lin]] signed on to direct the remake.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/fast-furious-director-to-reboot-highlander/|title=Fast & Furious Director To Remake Highlander |date=22 September 2009|publisher=/Film}}</ref> The film's reported title is ''Highlander: The Reckoning''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liveforfilms.com/2010/11/08/highlander-reboot-vinnie-jones-as-the-kurgan/|title=Highlander reboot—Vinnie Jones as the Kurgan? - Live for Films|publisher=liveforfilms.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207000816/http://www.liveforfilms.com/2010/11/08/highlander-reboot-vinnie-jones-as-the-kurgan/|archive-date=2011-12-07}}</ref>

Producer [[Neal H. Moritz]] said in an interview that they want to stay true to the mythologies as a whole of the ''Highlander'' series, acknowledging that there are certain things between all the different ''Highlanders'', but to stay faithful in what the original film delivered, while presenting the new version for old and new fans of the franchise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collider.com/2010/03/31/exclusive-producer-neal-h-moritz-on-fast-and-the-furious-5-and-6-plus-info-on-the-highlander-reboot/|title=Exclusive: Producer Neal H. Moritz on Fast and Furious 5 and 6 Plus Info on the Highlander Reboot|last=Weintraub|first=Steve|website=Collider|date=2010-03-31|access-date=2010-05-14|archive-date=2010-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522065935/http://www.collider.com/2010/03/31/exclusive-producer-neal-h-moritz-on-fast-and-the-furious-5-and-6-plus-info-on-the-highlander-reboot|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[The Twilight Saga (film series)|''Twilight'' series]] writer [[Melissa Rosenberg]] was attached to write ''Highlander'' script in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/melissa-rosenberg-highlander/75464/|title=TWILIGHT Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg to Tackle HIGHLANDER Remake Script|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=9 February 2011|access-date=16 April 2020|archive-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108041906/https://collider.com/melissa-rosenberg-highlander/75464/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Justin Lin was still attached to direct,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/highlander-remake-story-script-works-rob-115399/|title=Highlander Remake Story & Script Still in The Works|author=Keyes, Rob|publisher=screenrant.com|date=2011-05-14|access-date=2011-07-06}}</ref> but in August, Lin dropped out of the film due to commitments to other projects.<ref>{{cite web|last=Drees|first=Rich|title=Justin Lin Drops Out Of Directing HIGHLANDER Remake|url=http://www.filmbuffonline.com/FBOLNewsreel/wordpress/2011/08/12/justin-lin-drops-out-of-directing-highlander-remake/|publisher=FilmBuffOnline|date=2011-08-12|access-date=November 5, 2011}}</ref>

In 2012, director [[Juan Carlos Fresnadillo]] later signed on to direct the remake. [[Vinnie Jones]] and [[Ray Stevenson (actor)|Ray Stevenson]] were rumored to be considered for the role of [[The Kurgan]]. [[Ryan Reynolds]] was confirmed to play Connor MacLeod.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/ryan-reynolds-confirmed-as-highlander|title=Ryan Reynolds Confirmed as Highlander|author=Gallagher, Brian|work=MovieWeb|date=2012-06-27|access-date=2012-07-03|archive-date=2012-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703063809/http://www.movieweb.com/news/ryan-reynolds-confirmed-as-highlander|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later in December, Fresnadillo left the project due to creative differences and Reynolds also dropped out of the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-highlander-reboot-has-lost-its-director-again-1798234896|title=The ''Highlander'' Reboot Has Lost Its Director Again|author=O'Neal, Sean|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=2012-12-03|access-date=2013-02-18}}</ref><ref>[https://thewrap.com/thewrap/pm_105952/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=16bAnTeu Ryan Reynolds Exits 'Highlander' Reboot at Summit (Exclusive)] {{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

''[[Highlander: The Series]]'' writer and executive producer David Abramowitz was reported to polish the film's script in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highlanderheart.com/news.html|title=News|access-date=2013-06-29|archive-date=2013-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109155854/http://www.highlanderheart.com/news.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Cedric Nicolas-Troyan]] was hired to direct in October.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2013/10/summit-sets-cedric-nicolas-troyan-to-helm-highlander-feature-reboot-622113/|title=Summit Sets Cedric Nicolas-Troyan To Helm 'Highlander' Feature Reboot|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=29 October 2013}}</ref> The following year in November, the studio wanted actor [[Tom Cruise]] in the role of Ramírez, but Cruise was busy shooting ''[[Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation]]'' and was reportedly not considering future projects at that time.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Sneider|url=https://www.thewrap.com/tom-cruise-courted-to-co-star-in-highlander-reboot-exclusive/ |title=Tom Cruise Courted to Co-Star in 'Highlander' Reboot (Exclusive)|publisher=The Wrap|date=November 19, 2014}}</ref> [[James Jaysen Bryhan]] has since been rumored to play Ramírez.<ref>{{cite news|title=Highlander reboot|url=http://www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/highlander-remake-could-come-out-6516802|date=2 November 2016|newspaper=The Daily Record|access-date=2 November 2016|archive-date=4 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104002320/http://www.scotlandnow.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/highlander-remake-could-come-out-6516802|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Wrestler turned actor [[Dave Bautista]] was cast as The Kurgan in February 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latino-review.com/news/exclusive-guardians-of-the-galaxy-dave-bautista-to-play-the-kurgan-in-highlander-reboot|title=EXCLUSIVE: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Dave Bautista To Play The Kurgan In 'Highlander' Reboot|publisher=Latino Review|author=El Mayimbe|date=February 11, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212093431/http://www.latino-review.com/news/exclusive-guardians-of-the-galaxy-dave-bautista-to-play-the-kurgan-in-highlander-reboot|archive-date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> Nicolas-Troyan said that he was still involved with the reboot,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/highlander-reboot-update/|title=Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan Offers an Update on That 'Highlander' Reboot|publisher=Slash Film|last=Giroux|first=Jack|date=April 14, 2016}}</ref> but later in November 2016, [[Chad Stahelski]] was confirmed to direct,<ref>{{cite web|first=Borys|last=Kit|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/john-wick-director-chad-stahelski-tackling-highlander-reboot-949693|title='John Wick' Director Chad Stahelski Tackling 'Highlander' Reboot (Exclusive)|date=2016-11-22|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2016-11-22}}</ref> and Ryan J. Condal was brought for the script.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/highlander-reboot-gets-moving-after-colony-writer-ryan-condal-hands-in-script-1202307522/|title='Highlander' Reboot Gets Moving After 'Colony' Writer Ryan Condal Hands In Script|author=White, Peter|date=2018-03-01|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=2018-03-01}}</ref> Stahelski revealed that the reboot was in "heavy development mode" in June 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zinski |first1=Dan |title=John Wick Director's Highlander Remake Is In Heavy Development Mode |url=https://screenrant.com/highlander-remake-chad-stahelski-director-update/ |website=Screen Rant |date=28 June 2020 |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref>

[[Henry Cavill]] was in talks to have a lead role in the reboot as of May 2021, but his role was unknown at the time until two years later.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=2021-05-21|title=Henry Cavill To Star in Lionsgate's 'Highlander' Reboot From Chad Stahelski|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/henry-cavill-lionsgates-highlander-reboot-chad-stahelski-1234761916/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref>

By October 2023, [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]], owner of Summit Entertainment, was moving forward with the reboot, with Cavill starring as MacLeod and Stahelski still attached to direct from a screenplay by Mike Finch. The budget of the film is reportedly over $100 million and producers on the project include Joshua Davis, Moritz, Stahelski and Louise Rosner. Lionsgate intended to sell the film to international distributors at the 2023 [[American Film Market]] and filming was expected to begin in early 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lionsgate Moving Forward With Henry Cavill & Chad Stahelski 'Highlander' Reboot As Action-Fantasy Pic Heads To AFM To Enliven A Strike-Hit Market|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=27 October 2023|access-date=27 October 2023|url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/henry-cavill-highlander-chad-stahelski-reboot-lionsgate-movie-afm-1235585000/}}</ref> In April 2025, [[Amazon MGM Studios]] and [[Scott Stuber]] were reportedly in final negotiations to acquire the reboot under the [[United Artists]] banner.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |title=Amazon, UA, Scott Stuber In Final Negotiations To Land 'Highlander' Rights; Henry Cavill To Star With Chad Stahelski Directing |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/amazon-scott-stuber-highlander-henry-cavill-chad-stahelski-1236371108/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 20, 2025 |date=April 17, 2025 |archive-date=April 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417210619/https://deadline.com/2025/04/amazon-scott-stuber-highlander-henry-cavill-chad-stahelski-1236371108/ |url-status=live}}</ref>