In a major move that echoes the franchise’s famous line, “There can be only one,” Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists have secured the rights to reboot Highlander, with Henry Cavill set to star and John Wick mastermind Chad Stahelski directing. The deal marks a new chapter for the cult-classic series, which has long awaited a modern revival worthy of its enduring legacy.
A Powerhouse Team for a Legendary Franchise
Final negotiations brought together UA, veteran producer Scott Stuber, and Stahelski’s own 87Eleven Entertainment. Michael Finch, who co-wrote John Wick: Chapter 4, is handling the screenplay, promising fans a sharp balance of lore, action, and character-driven storytelling. According to Deadline, the film is expected to hit theaters rather than streaming directly, reflecting Amazon’s evolving push to balance cinematic spectacle with streaming dominance.
Henry Cavill speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for “The Witcher”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Cavill, who has carved out a reputation as both a charismatic action star and a dedicated fan of genre fiction, will step into a role that carries weight with longtime fans. His recent collaborations with Amazon, including Warhammer 40,000 and the live-action Voltron adaptation, suggest the studio might actually be betting on his box-office pull and passion for world-building.
A Return to the Age of Immortals
The original Highlander, released in 1986, followed Scottish swordsman Connor MacLeod (played by Christopher Lambert) and his centuries-spanning battle against fellow immortals, including the unforgettable Kurgan. Blending historical flashbacks, high-stakes duels, and Queen’s iconic soundtrack, the film was unlike anything else in its era. Though it spawned several sequels, an animated show, and a beloved TV series starring Adrian Paul, the franchise has never quite recaptured the same lightning-in-a-bottle success as with the original movie.
Stahelski, whose name has become synonymous with tightly choreographed action and world-class stunt work, seems poised to reshape the mythos for modern audiences while honoring its pulp roots. Therefore, fans can expect a new visual language for sword fights, urban battles, and the mystical underpinnings of the Immortals’ existence.
A Strategic Fit for Amazon and United Artists
Sources close to the project, according to Deadline, claim that Stahelski’s vision was the deciding factor in Amazon’s pursuit, describing it as a perfect blend of action spectacle and character depth. The acquisition also gives Amazon full franchise rights, opening the door for potential spinoffs, limited series, and merchandise opportunities, should the reboot strike gold at the box office.
For Scott Stuber, Highlander is the latest addition to a growing list of tentpole projects since his jump from Netflix to Amazon, where he’s spearheading a creative relaunch for United Artists. Alongside Highlander, Stuber is also developing Kill Your Darlings with Julia Roberts, Edward Berger’s adaptation of Evan Gershkovich’s memoir, and Panic Carefully, a thriller starring Roberts and directed by Sam Esmail.
A New Start for Amazon?
It’s understandable that Highlander fans might view Amazon’s recent acquisition of the franchise rights with a healthy dose of skepticism. After all, Amazon’s track record with major fantasy and action IPs hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. Projects like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power carried enormous budgets and promise but struggled to capture the spirit of their source material, leaving many longtime fans feeling alienated and frustrated.
For a franchise like Highlander, which already carries a fiercely loyal fanbase and a delicate mythology, the idea of Amazon getting involved naturally raises alarms.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 15: Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios attends “The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power” Los Angeles Red Carpet Premiere & Screening on August 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
However, there’s an important wrinkle to consider: Jennifer Salke, the executive largely responsible for Amazon’s controversial creative decisions during this era, has recently been ousted. Her departure could signal the beginning of a much-needed creative reset within Amazon Studios. Without Salke steering the ship, there’s at least a chance that Amazon will approach Highlander with a greater respect for the franchise’s core elements and longtime fans.
Of course, whether or not Amazon truly learns from its past mistakes remains to be seen. A leadership change doesn’t automatically guarantee a creative renaissance. But with a new era potentially dawning at Prime Video, Highlander fans have reason to be cautiously optimistic — while still keeping a watchful eye on what comes next.
Cavill’s Reign Continues
For Cavill, the role marks yet another milestone in a career defined by iconic characters. From Superman to Geralt of Rivia, the British actor has built a reputation for bringing physicality and quiet intensity to genre-defining roles—as well as portraying the characters from a stance of love and appreciation for the source material and lore. Now, with Highlander, Henry Cavill joins a franchise that’s all about legacy—and whose fans are more than ready for a modern resurrection.
Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher (2023), Netflix
With the combined talents of Stahelski, Finch, and Cavill, the reboot is positioned not just to revive Highlander, but potentially to build an entire cinematic universe around it. For now, fans will have to wait to see whether this new version lives up to the classic’s immortal reputation—and whether or not Amazon will screw up the project or backstab Henry Cavill.
Do you want to see Highlander with Henry Cavill produced by Amazon? Sound off in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
Cavill has a terrible track record when it comes to things he stars in, so I’m not very optimistic here.
It’s going to be Woke, because Amazon requires it to be.
Cavil will be pissed like he was in the Netflix Witcher Dumpster Fire, as well as the Warhammer Amazon series coming up.
If he cared about these products, he would find an Animation Studio in Japan or Korea to work with, but nothing Live Action or Western.
It’s all DOA……
You are once again expressing hope about Hollywood and its treatment of past films / IPs. I am not sure why. In the past 20+ years I have seen next to no evidence of any hope as regards Hollywood and its affiliated entities, including all the major streaming services. Hollywood is pure evil. It spreads corruption and rot across the world. That has been its sole objective for the past 20 or so years.
Just because some of these studios want to exploit the popularity of a 40 years old hit movie? What exactly in the past 20 years has convinced you it will be worth a single second of our precious little time left in this world – at best? At worst, it will be a complete and deliberate travesty and corruption of the most fundamental beliefs and values of our society, as demonstrated on so many occasions.
What exactly in Amazon’s track record gives you the confidence to even HOPE for anything good? I am genuinely at a loss as to why such a (cautiously) optimistic tone would be adopted merely because of a familiar name involved in some past dubious debates on woke topics.