Henry Cavill’s Upcoming Highlander Reboot: A Huge Risk Worth Taking?
Henry Cavill is set to star in the upcoming Highlander reboot, directed by John Wick’s Chad Stahelski. While a reboot of the franchise may seem like a big risk, the cult classic TV spin-off Highlander: The Series proves that there’s plenty of room for expansion in this fantasy franchise.
Highlander: The Series, which aired from 1992 to 1998, was an alternate sequel to the original 1986 movie and ran for 119 episodes across six seasons. The series was praised for its impressive production values, inventive monster-of-the-week villains, and unique storytelling. It explored the trials and tribulations of immortality, using its protagonist’s eternal life as more than just a fantastical high-concept premise.
The series was an international hit and received a much warmer response from critics than any of the sequel movies. Its success proves that the Highlander franchise has room to expand and explore new elements of the mythology.
Cavill’s movie should take a cue from the TV series and push the boundaries of the lore. The reboot needs to explore the dramatic potential of eternal life, the inherent tragedy of outliving every loved one, and sink its teeth into the emotional side of immortality. This is what makes Highlander a great story.
With Stahelski at the helm and Cavill starring as Connor MacLeod, the reboot has the potential to launch a cinematic universe. If done correctly, the movie could be a huge success and revitalize the franchise.