- Highlander reboot starring Henry Cavill is set for a 2026 release.
- Director Chad Stahelski aims to create a new franchise based on the rich mythology of the original Highlander.
- Queen’s music will be featured in the reboot, likely in new and different ways.
The highly-anticipated Highlander reboot, starring Henry Cavill, now has a release window in 2026, as revealed by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake during a recent investor call. Fans have been eagerly waiting for the franchise’s return, and although 2026 is still some time away, this news is still exciting.
With both the writers’ and actors’ strikes now over, Hollywood is working to get back on track. It is currently unclear when the Highlander reboot will go into production or when Cavill will be available to lead the project, but having a release date on the calendar signifies that the movie is finally happening.
The original 1986 Highlander movie centered on swordsman Connor MacLeod, played by Christopher Lambert, who is one of several immortal warriors that can only be killed by beheading. The reboot has been in development for years and was finally confirmed last month, with John Wick director Chad Stahelski taking the directorial role and The Witcher’s Henry Cavill starring as Connor MacLeod. Stahelski has compared the reboot to John Wick with swords.
One element from the original that will be preserved in the reboot is the much-loved music of Queen. Stahelski revealed that songs like “Who Wants To Live Forever” will be included, although perhaps in different ways than fans might expect. Stahelski also expressed his hope that the Highlander reboot will be the beginning of a new franchise, with plans to incorporate elements from the TV shows and set up a prequel to The Gathering, providing ample room for story expansion.
The director is excited about the “rich, rich, rich mythology” offered by Highlander and envisions drawing from various historical periods, nationalities, and cultures to create immortal characters that must deal with the challenges of immortality. This concept, according to Stahelski, has great potential for both a successful film and an epic TV show.