Lin helming Highlander

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Strike Back below!
by: Paul Tassi Sep. 22, 2009

If a movie was made in the '80s there's a good chance it's due for a reboot, which appears to be the philosophy behind Summit Entertainment's just-announced HIGHLANDER "re-imagining" helmed by FAST AND FURIOUS director Justin Lin, with IRON MAN screenwriters Art Marcum and Matt Holoway working the script. So what exactly is the plan here? From the press release:

"Summit’s film will expand on the original HIGHLANDER’s core mythology of immortals battling amongst us, hunting each other through the ages by tapping its newly minted creative team to take its re-imagination to new heights. Plans call for the re-imagination to spur a new franchise for the studio.

“We are privileged to have this amazing opportunity to reinvent one of the great franchises,” said Patrick Wachsberger, co-chairman of Summit Entertainment. “Neal and Justin have proven more than once that they can deliver an entertaining and exciting blockbuster.”

The original 1986 film followed the epic tale of Connor MacLeod, an immortal Scotsman who can only be killed by decapitation. The movie spawned four more films, three TV series and of course, an equally immortal catchphrase, “There can be only one!”

Maybe it’s just that I’m so exhausted from hearing about every comic, toy and board game being turned into a movie, but this doesn’t seem like a half bad idea. That's a great pair of writers, and Lin is a solid director (if you and I were friends on Movie Fan Central you’d know my love for THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT) and there’s definitely a lot of good mythology to work with here. Whether a good movie can actually come of it however, remains to be seen.

Source: JoBlo

Extra Tidbit: I guess there can be two...

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Snafu
9:21PM on 09/23/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Meh, what's the worse they can do to the franchise? Remember Highlander 2? If it sucks it can just join the Highlander sequel shit heap. I'll just keep watching the original for my immortal fix.
Meh, what's the worse they can do to the franchise? Remember Highlander 2? If it sucks it can just join the Highlander sequel shit heap. I'll just keep watching the original for my immortal fix.
 
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JacksColdSweat
1:27PM on 09/23/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Cool news but
Really? "Lin is a solid director (if you and I were friends on Movie Fan Central you’d know my love for THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT)"

Haven't seen this, but...really?!?
Really? "Lin is a solid director (if you and I were friends on Movie Fan Central you’d know my love for THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT)"

Haven't seen this, but...really?!?
 
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Sulaco
8:16AM on 09/23/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
"It's a kind of magic."
"It's a kind of magic."
 
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TheCalling
4:38AM on 09/23/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Noooooooo!!
Nooo nooo NOOO!! I wanted to remake this movie! DAMN!!
Love the original but this film can actually use a re-imagining.
Nooo nooo NOOO!! I wanted to remake this movie! DAMN!!
Love the original but this film can actually use a re-imagining.
 
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filmguy450
2:10AM on 09/23/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I am a Lin fan, but not sure on this. I will wait and see, but I am not entirely opposed to a remake, as the first wasn't exactly great; fun to be sure, but it could use improving.
I am a Lin fan, but not sure on this. I will wait and see, but I am not entirely opposed to a remake, as the first wasn't exactly great; fun to be sure, but it could use improving.
 
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Mandee
12:43AM on 09/23/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Good News
And Seth Rogen would be perfect as Connor.
And Seth Rogen would be perfect as Connor.
 
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sneekyfox
11:38PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i agree with the quote. there can be ONLY ONE.
next thing you know they'll re make every other scottish-theamed movie, AND then move onto those scottish romance novels you see plastered to the walls at chapters. Or maybe they should do one of those books, that way they can avoid remaking this movie.
next thing you know they'll re make every other scottish-theamed movie, AND then move onto those scottish romance novels you see plastered to the walls at chapters. Or maybe they should do one of those books, that way they can avoid remaking this movie.
 
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Mr. Moe
10:37PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Anyone who supports this bastardization hates movies. There can be no other explanation.
Anyone who supports this bastardization hates movies. There can be no other explanation.
 
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skysaber26
10:08PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Really?!?!
Hasn't Hollywood raped enough of our childhoods? I will not be seeing this. Why can't studio execs come up with some original ideas? Please let this, along with the Monster Squad remake be put in the "dead files"!
Hasn't Hollywood raped enough of our childhoods? I will not be seeing this. Why can't studio execs come up with some original ideas? Please let this, along with the Monster Squad remake be put in the "dead files"!
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fat-womanizer
11:07AM on 09/23/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
oh c'mon. Here we go again. Another remake. So what? I'll bet you'll see this movie anyway...
oh c'mon. Here we go again. Another remake. So what? I'll bet you'll see this movie anyway...
 
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DanoTehWolfman
9:32PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm game if the cast is right...
I think that this is going to be awesome, but only if two things happen. A box set of all the movies (preferably 2 disc editions each) and Gerard Butler, Clancy Brown, Christopher Lambert, Clive Owen, Aaron Eckhart, and Thomas Jane are all cast as immortals. Oh, and James Remar would be cool too! Let's face it: Having two Raidens in a Highlander movie would make most fanboys' heads explode.
I think that this is going to be awesome, but only if two things happen. A box set of all the movies (preferably 2 disc editions each) and Gerard Butler, Clancy Brown, Christopher Lambert, Clive Owen, Aaron Eckhart, and Thomas Jane are all cast as immortals. Oh, and James Remar would be cool too! Let's face it: Having two Raidens in a Highlander movie would make most fanboys' heads explode.
 
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DanoTehWolfman
9:31PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm game if the cast is right...
I think that this is going to be awesome, but only if two things happen. A box set of all the movies (preferably 2 disc editions each) and Gerard Butler, Clancy Brown, Christopher Lambert, Clive Owen, Aaron Eckhart, and Thomas Jane are all cast as immortals. Oh, and James Remar would be cool too! Let's face it: Having two Raidens in a Highlander movie would make most fanboys' heads explode.
I think that this is going to be awesome, but only if two things happen. A box set of all the movies (preferably 2 disc editions each) and Gerard Butler, Clancy Brown, Christopher Lambert, Clive Owen, Aaron Eckhart, and Thomas Jane are all cast as immortals. Oh, and James Remar would be cool too! Let's face it: Having two Raidens in a Highlander movie would make most fanboys' heads explode.
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DanoTehWolfman
9:32PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Ok, so the DVD thing is asking a bit much...but I can never find the 1st movie on DVD. Just the 2nd one.
Ok, so the DVD thing is asking a bit much...but I can never find the 1st movie on DVD. Just the 2nd one.
 
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jeanericuser
6:36PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Would have been better as a video game
Highlander pretty much has been run into the ground. The last one was so horribly done that it ruined everything that the series created. Doing a remake might either allow it to refresh but I highly doubt it. The better option is a mmorpg game. People create an immortal figure and enter a virtual world. You can use your immortality however you choose in that world but when you encounter an immo...
Highlander pretty much has been run into the ground. The last one was so horribly done that it ruined everything that the series created. Doing a remake might either allow it to refresh but I highly doubt it. The better option is a mmorpg game. People create an immortal figure and enter a virtual world. You can use your immortality however you choose in that world but when you encounter an immortal its time to find some place private and get some head. hehehe
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minderthr33
8:41PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
There were two games in the work. One was a MMO (which as far as I know has been canned years ago) and there was a straight forward action game for the PS3/360 that was suppose to come out last year. Since we haven't heard anything, I'll assume that it got cancelled as well.

An MMO would have been awesome, though.
There were two games in the work. One was a MMO (which as far as I know has been canned years ago) and there was a straight forward action game for the PS3/360 that was suppose to come out last year. Since we haven't heard anything, I'll assume that it got cancelled as well.

An MMO would have been awesome, though.
 
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Paulie
6:18PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Why are these films called remakes?
Seriously. Most of the time they're worse than the originals anyway. No, let's call them what they really are: Premakes.
Seriously. Most of the time they're worse than the originals anyway. No, let's call them what they really are: Premakes.
 
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luke319
6:07PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Personally, I think Lin's F&F films are just as bad as the others but...
...he did direct the wonderful "Better Luck Tomorrow". Seriously, if you like any of his other films check that out, it's his most accomplished film and makes me a little sad at how medicore his other films have been.

That being said, I'm all for continuing/rebooting this franchise. I think there are much better directors for this than Lin, but there are also much worse. As far a...
...he did direct the wonderful "Better Luck Tomorrow". Seriously, if you like any of his other films check that out, it's his most accomplished film and makes me a little sad at how medicore his other films have been.

That being said, I'm all for continuing/rebooting this franchise. I think there are much better directors for this than Lin, but there are also much worse. As far as actors go Jane wouldn't be bad, but I think Kevin McKidd or Clive Owen would be perfect. The real question is who would you get to replace Connery? My vote goes to Liam Neeson.
 
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J. Burton
5:05PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Yep
With the right star in this remake, this could very well be a hit and restart this franchise. Business wise, it sure as hell makes sense, wish I could put some money into it. And yes, Thomas Jane would be damn near perfect for this.
With the right star in this remake, this could very well be a hit and restart this franchise. Business wise, it sure as hell makes sense, wish I could put some money into it. And yes, Thomas Jane would be damn near perfect for this.
 
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jolanar
4:43PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
On the one hand the original concept hasn't been handled that well except on the TV show, so it would be nice to see a new movie.

On the other hand the franchise has already been very milked.
On the one hand the original concept hasn't been handled that well except on the TV show, so it would be nice to see a new movie.

On the other hand the franchise has already been very milked.
 
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DaForce
4:18PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
So 4-5 sequels and a tv show weren't enough? Please just let this one go. It's as bad an idea as remaking Halloween.
So 4-5 sequels and a tv show weren't enough? Please just let this one go. It's as bad an idea as remaking Halloween.
 
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Lil Sco Rizzle
4:15PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i was never really interested in this project until now. I like Justin Lin. While i didnt like Fast & Furious (because i hate paul walker) i loved Tokyo Drift and Annapolis.
Also Summit needs a good franchise. Twilight doesnt count.
i was never really interested in this project until now. I like Justin Lin. While i didnt like Fast & Furious (because i hate paul walker) i loved Tokyo Drift and Annapolis.
Also Summit needs a good franchise. Twilight doesnt count.
 
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ANTI
4:02PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
This would actually be interesting if someone other than Justin Lin was attached.
This would actually be interesting if someone other than Justin Lin was attached.
 
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THEGRIFTER
3:49PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I wouldn't mind this being reimagined, not to update the original, but more to correct the crappy sequels that came after it.

I think Thomas Jane should be cast as MacLeod.
I wouldn't mind this being reimagined, not to update the original, but more to correct the crappy sequels that came after it.

I think Thomas Jane should be cast as MacLeod.
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FireCaptain4
4:05PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Oh shit, don't even get me started. Some of us Schmoes are onto the conspiracy. From what we've been able to gather, Thomas Jane and Aaron Eckhart are two slightly altered genetic clones from Christopher Lambert's DNA.
Oh shit, don't even get me started. Some of us Schmoes are onto the conspiracy. From what we've been able to gather, Thomas Jane and Aaron Eckhart are two slightly altered genetic clones from Christopher Lambert's DNA.
 
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marloweman
3:45PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
"There can BE ONLY one!" - - Just saying....
"There can BE ONLY one!" - - Just saying....
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Paul Tassi
3:51PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Correct!
Correct!
 
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FireCaptain4
3:41PM on 09/22/2009 Add as a friend | MFC profile
There SHOULD Be...
... only one.

I guess the sequels weren't evidence enough of that? Oh, and Justin Lin doesn't make my "List of Directors Whom I am Looking Forward to Seeing What They Do in the Future" list.
... only one.

I guess the sequels weren't evidence enough of that? Oh, and Justin Lin doesn't make my "List of Directors Whom I am Looking Forward to Seeing What They Do in the Future" list.
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