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Being the creative mind over John Wick has pretty much given action maestro and filmmaker cart blanche in the industry. Stahelski is one of the most in demand action directors today and there has been word kicking around for years that he will direct a reimagining of Highlander with Henry Cavill attached to star. The project has been in development hell for years but today, I bring you great news as the project is, indeed, officially on with Stahelski set to helm.
Lionsgate announced today that they have struck a deal with Stahelski to direct Highlander as well as oversee the franchise along with the world of John Wick in terms of film, television and all other media sources.
Chad Stahelski, the visionary director behind all four of Lionsgate’s John Wick films, has struck a deal with the studio in which the billion-dollar filmmaker will direct a reimagination of the Highlander franchise as his next feature film and assume creative oversight of the Highlander and John Wick franchises across film, television, and all multimedia platforms. The director and his team at 87Eleven Entertainment have taken the lead in designing a comprehensive multi-platform content strategy for both franchises, and this deal formalizes what was already an extraordinary partnership (Per the official press release from Lionsgate).
I don’t have to outline how fantastic this for action and fantasy fans as Stahelski is the one you would want to reboot anything or establish a long-term franchise. The John Wick films revolutionized the action genre and breathed new life into the word high-octane. imagine instilling the same kind of creative and enhanced type of action set pieces to sword fights. 87Eleven is at the forefront of innovative action design and now the Highlander franchise will reap the benefits of having Stahelski and his stable of experts at the helm. Having Cavill is also a huge bonus as he has proven that he can more than do this type of sword slicing role having starred in Netflix’s The Witcher.
“I am pleased to be able to grow my relationship with Lionsgate in this new oversight role for the John Wick universe and its further expansion. John Wick is so close to my heart and to be able to continue shepherding it will be a blast for me. I’m so happy to also be launching another franchise with Highlander, a world that is so rich with engaging stories to be told,” Stahelski stated in the official announcement.
What also bodes well is that Lionsgate is certainly looking to expand the John Wick universe beyond the prequel series The Continental that hit Peacock last year. Also, the number of spin-offs is untapped and the first one being Ballerina with Ana De Armis will open the door for many more to come. Armis will bring a fresh, female perspective to the assassin role that Reeves made famous so we will see how it all plays out.
Hopefully, the ball gets rolling soon on the Highlander film as it would feel that we have been waiting decades for it. Oh wait, we have been waiting decades for it. Lock N Load for more Intel on Chad Stahelski, Highlander and the John Wick universe as we are your destination for your Action Fix!!!!
Source: Screen Daily
