Highlander Remake Gears Up for ProductionHighlander Remake Gears Up for Production Lionsgate’s highly anticipated remake of the classic fantasy film “Highlander” is finally gearing up for production. Directed by Chad Stahelski (“John Wick”), the film has been in the works for several years and will star Henry Cavill as the immortal swordsman Connor MacLeod. Stahelski has revealed that filming is scheduled to begin in Scotland in January 2025. The director has also promised ambitious and innovative swordplay for the film, a challenge he embraces due to the inherent risks involved. Cavill’s involvement in the project has been in the works for nearly as long as its development. With Cavill’s departure from “The Witcher” and Stahelski’s completion of the “John Wick” franchise, the timing has finally aligned for the two to collaborate. Stahelski described the process of putting together the swordplay for “Highlander” as a complex one, balancing the need for authenticity with safety concerns. He has sought out the expertise of some of the world’s top sword experts to create a unique and immersive combat style for the film. While the film’s release date and other cast members are yet to be announced, the excitement surrounding the “Highlander” remake is palpable. Fans of the original film and newcomers alike can expect a thrilling and visually stunning experience when it finally hits screens.
The development of Lionsgate’s Highlander remake of John Wick Director Chad Stahelski’s film, starring Henry Cavill, has been in the works for a long time, but production is reportedly gearing up to begin filming early next year.
In an interview with Collider, Stahelski revealed that he will begin filming Highlander in January 2025. After this coming weekend, Stahelski will travel to Scotland to do the final phase of location scouting. “We start filming in Scotland in January,” Stahelski told the outlet, “so I’m going there right after I leave. I’m going to Scotland on Monday to do the final location scouting.”
Stahelski is developing Highlander for a few years now and Cavill has been attached to it for almost as long. They both announced the project a while ago, while waiting for the right time between their busy schedules to work on the remake. Now that Cavill has left The Witcher and Stahelski finished with the John Wick franchise the timing has been provisionally coordinated.
Stahelski also previewed the swordplay for the film. As a stuntman turned director, and someone who has created some very memorable action scenes throughout his career, but especially in John Wick And Death Polehis plans for HighlanderHis swordsmanship is very ambitious and he recognizes the challenge.
“Swords are one of the trickiest things for me to do in combat scenes because if I mess up too much with the gun, the muzzle flashes become digital,” Stahelski said. “So we don’t have to worry about hurting anyone. When we’re doing car stuff, that’s a big concern too. But there are ways now, cables that take away some of the dangers for the cast.” He went on to explain that with “Swords, it’s a little bit trickier because now I have to trust my actors to swing this piece of metal at each other, and hopefully not poke their eyes out or stab someone. In every sword movie, someone gets poked or hit in the head or something. It requires a little bit more skill and a little bit more dedication. So that’s always a concern.”
“Most of the concern right now isn’t really about training the cast,” he continued. “We’ve got that machine up and running and I think we’ve got the right cast. We’ve got the right people. We’ve got the right trainers. We’ve dug up some of the best sword people I’ve ever met in my life in the last six months, helping us. It’s more about how do you put it all together and make it work. It’s not Princess Bride, it’s not Crouching Tiger, it’s not Master & Commander, it’s not Zorro. What is this new look of action or swordplay that people are going to be excited about? That’s what keeps me up at night.”
Highlander has no release date or other cast members yet. Check back later as we learn more about the upcoming film.
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.
