Chad Stahelski, the director behind 'John Wick,' has provided some intriguing insights into his approach to reimagining the 1986 cult fantasy classic, 'Highlander.' The film is set to feature Henry Cavill as the immortal Scottish swordsman, Connor MacLeod.
In a recent conversation on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Stahelski shed light on his creative direction for the upcoming film, which is currently in development. His plan involves not simply hurrying towards the conclusion of the first movie, which originally saw MacLeod emerge as the last surviving immortal in a showdown among dueling immortals known as The Gathering.
Stahelski explained, "I believe we now possess some compelling elements. The challenge lies in the tagline, 'There can only be one.' You can't eliminate everyone in the very first installment."
Moreover, Stahelski unveiled that the film would draw inspiration from the 1992 syndicated 'Highlander' TV series, which enjoyed a six-season run. He mentioned, "Our narrative involves many of the same characters, but we've also incorporated elements from all the TV series. We're aiming for a kind of prequel, setting the stage for The Gathering, thus allowing us room to expand the storyline."
While Stahelski hasn't typically viewed 'John Wick' as a franchise, he envisions 'Highlander' as having the potential to become one. He expressed, "We have an abundance of ideas for creating the most fascinating characters that could drive an epic TV series. I genuinely believe it's a rich mythology when you can select any historical era, nationality, culture, or type of individual and transform them into an immortal who must grapple with the weight of immortality — that's undeniably captivating."
Stahelski also paid homage to the original 'Highlander,' referring to it as "one of the best-worst films ever." He marveled at how, despite its various, sometimes cheesy, elements, it managed to come together as a highly entertaining piece of cinema.
Having been involved in the project since 2016, Stahelski previously discussed his choice of Henry Cavill for the role of Connor MacLeod in an interview for The Hollywood Reporter. He emphasized the importance of Cavill's ability to not only embody the physicality required for the character but also convey the empathy of someone who has lived for five centuries. Stahelski noted, "The character's journey spans hundreds of years, leading to a range of personalities and emotional growth. In our initial meeting, Henry was already delving into the concept of the burden of immortality. You could see in his eyes that he could seamlessly transition from a young, vibrant spirit to an old, wise soul. It was a captivating combination. Furthermore, his genuine passion for the project and his belief in what he could bring to it were evident. When an actor possesses that level of enthusiasm, you can expect something truly unique. And, of course, if you've met him, you'd know — within 10 minutes, you'd think, 'He's cool, I'd love to spend time with this guy.'"
