Summary
- Director Chad Stahelski confirms that the Highlander reboot will include music from Queen, but in a different way than expected.
- Stahelski aims to capture the essence of the original Highlander while adding more depth and world-building, while still keeping it fun and fantastical.
- The Highlander reboot will start production “soon,” and Stahelski is enthusiastic and committed to creating a captivating film.
“Here we are! Born to be kings… we’re the princes of the universe!” Fans of the Highlander franchise are well-acquainted with those wonderful lyrics sang by Queen’s late, lead vocalist Freddie Mercury. And for those who so rightfully associate Queen’s music with Highlander, there’s great news from the reboot’s director, Chad Stahelski. During an interview, while discussing the likelihood that John Wick: Chapter 4 might receive some Oscar recognition, Stahelski was asked if the Highlander remake would include the music of Queen. Stahelski said (per The Wrap):
Yes. Probably in a different way than you think, but hardcore yes.
Since 2014, Chad Stahelski has been busy helming the enormously successful Baby Yaga saga featuring Keanu Reeves in the titular role of John Wick. Stahelski has a number of projects in development, but his Highlander reboot will feature Henry Cavill as the lead. And in addition to featuring the music Queen wrote and performed for the original Highlander (1986), Stahelski is trying to create a remake the fans will truly love. Stahelski said in the same interview:
“We’re trying to encapsulate everything you loved about the original with more – meaning we want to ground it, we want it to be a great chance at world-building and mythology. But we still want to keep it fun. It’s like the ‘Wick’ movies. You want to experience this world, you want to believe it’s real. But it’s also five degrees off from reality.”
Related: Highlander: Every Film in the Franchise, Ranked
Highlander Will Be Rebooted ‘Soon’
Release Date March 7, 1986
Director Russell Mulcahy
Cast Christopher Lambert, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown, Sean Connery, Beatie Edney, Alan North
Rating R
Main Genre Action
Tagline There can be only one.
The music of Queen, particularly the songs Princes of the Universe and Who Wants to Live Forever, makes up a large part of the mystique that endears Highlander to the fandom, even today. But Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Clancy Brown’s performances as the first film’s immortals set a very high bar for director Chad Stahelski and his team to try and clear. But he intends to do just that with his Highlander reboot featuring Henry Cavill. Stahelski also told The Wrap in the same interview:
“This is a movie with immortals running around chopping each other’s heads off. There’s a certain ridiculousness to it. It’s like the ‘Wicks.’ We ride the tone. Everybody in the movie thinks it’s real. But we as an audience can get our heads around it – look, suspend disbelief. We’re trying to get you on board for this amazing journey with people who have lived hundreds of years. It’s a challenge. But I’m very excited.”
Sadly, Stahelski hasn’t nailed down an exact start date for the beginning of production on his Highlander reboot. The closest date Stahelski can offer the fans is “soon.” Stahelski discussed beginning the Highlander production in an interview with Collider:
“We do not have a date, but let’s say within a year [laughs]. Soon, soon as I can. I’ve been developing two shows side by side: Ghost of Tsushima and Highlander. Those are the ones that I love. I have a couple of other ones that I really love. I have Rainbow Six and a few other things, but they’re still in development in the script phases. I’ve been trying to do Highlander now for eight years.
Here’s what fans can count on, at the time of this writing, when it comes to Stahelski’s Highlander film. First, it will be a bona fide reboot and not a sequel to the other movies or television series. Second, Cavill will portray the titular character. Lastly, Lionsgate’s Highlander reimagining will boast a $100-million budget.
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