Highlander remake | Movie News

Highlander remake
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Strike Back below!
by: Dave Davis May. 20, 2008

When it comes to catchphrases, "There can be only one" is about the least appropriate statement imaginable when it comes to the HIGHLANDER franchise. While the first movie seemed to end fairly succinctly, it was nonetheless followed by the uniquely terrible THE QUICKENING and the dull FINAL DIMENSION, then two TV series (and an animated show), and two further movies that attempted to tie all the mythology together.

Where to go from there? How about right back to the beginning... with a remake. Yes, Summit Entertainment (TWILIGHT, NEVER BACK DOWN) now has the property rights, and has IRON MAN co-writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway working on the reboot. Original producer Peter Davis is also coming back for the new flick, which will "mix contemporary settings, action, mythology and medieval Scotland."

Summit honcho Patrick Wachsberger said (believe it or not), "I have always dreamed of reinventing this franchise."

In case you weren't aware, the series revolves around a secret race of immortals who, over the course of centuries, constantly clash and cut each other's heads off with swords so they can absorb the special effects that spill from the decapitated bodies.

Source: Variety

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Extra Tidbit: Nearly all the villains in the series had names that started with 'K'.

28 discussions Expand all
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Bulldog
4:02PM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Maybe
The sequels were all either bad, or "meh". But if this is truly a reboot, in the same vein as "Batman Begins", for example, then it could work.



I love the original, but watching it today you realize how bad the sound is, how the lighting could be better, how some editing wasn't quite up to snuff. The great central concept, swordfights, and Lambert/Connery/Brown (Kurgan) are...
The sequels were all either bad, or "meh". But if this is truly a reboot, in the same vein as "Batman Begins", for example, then it could work.



I love the original, but watching it today you realize how bad the sound is, how the lighting could be better, how some editing wasn't quite up to snuff. The great central concept, swordfights, and Lambert/Connery/Brown (Kurgan) are what drove the film.



Stuff like this is always a crapshoot, but you never know. With the right cast and attention to detail (and homage to the original), it could work. But yeah, leave some of the mystery as to "how" or "why" the Immortals exist, and just concentrate on the meat of the story.
 
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slickyz
2:46PM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Relax and read....
It's clearly a reboot and not a remake, it's fine by me, relax people.
It's clearly a reboot and not a remake, it's fine by me, relax people.
 
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ZombieFlanders
2:01PM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
JEEZUS! What's next!? Howzabout we remake Casablanca? Or Gone With the Wind? Or Alien? Or Jaws? WTF? Can the hollywood writers (who I no longer believe deserve the shit they got stemming from the strike) not come up with anything original? Or even partly original? WE DON'T NEED THIS MOVIE! THE FIRST ONE WAS FINE! AAARGH! Whoa. Whew, sorry.
JEEZUS! What's next!? Howzabout we remake Casablanca? Or Gone With the Wind? Or Alien? Or Jaws? WTF? Can the hollywood writers (who I no longer believe deserve the shit they got stemming from the strike) not come up with anything original? Or even partly original? WE DON'T NEED THIS MOVIE! THE FIRST ONE WAS FINE! AAARGH! Whoa. Whew, sorry.
 
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anomaly7
12:59PM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Set up a trilogy
I've only seen the first highlander, and given all I've heard about the sequals it will probably be the only one I ever see. The first was great, and a remake is unnecessary. However, if this does go through they should set it up as a trilogy to avoid all the illogical plot holes that plauged the earlier films.
I've only seen the first highlander, and given all I've heard about the sequals it will probably be the only one I ever see. The first was great, and a remake is unnecessary. However, if this does go through they should set it up as a trilogy to avoid all the illogical plot holes that plauged the earlier films.
 
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McClane Maniac
9:17AM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm f**king disgusted with this news! Here's an idea Hollywood, how about un-making all of the putrifying, pieces of dogsh*t unnecessary sequels and remakes that have fallen out of your ringpiece over the years!



LEAVE HIGHLANDER ALONE!!!!!! NO MORE REMAKES, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY!!!!!!
I'm f**king disgusted with this news! Here's an idea Hollywood, how about un-making all of the putrifying, pieces of dogsh*t unnecessary sequels and remakes that have fallen out of your ringpiece over the years!



LEAVE HIGHLANDER ALONE!!!!!! NO MORE REMAKES, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY!!!!!!
 
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drexxell
9:11AM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE
 
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Mischief_3lf
8:11AM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
As a big fan of the TV series, the first movie and I really enjoyed the anime, I'm really excited for this. I really feel Highlander has always been a missed opportunity. The only thing that made the first movie and the TV series any good was the concept. Theres a lot they can improve on and deepen. Plus hopefully it will jumpstart this dead franchise.



It can't be worse than The...
As a big fan of the TV series, the first movie and I really enjoyed the anime, I'm really excited for this. I really feel Highlander has always been a missed opportunity. The only thing that made the first movie and the TV series any good was the concept. Theres a lot they can improve on and deepen. Plus hopefully it will jumpstart this dead franchise.



It can't be worse than The Source so I'll be looking forward to this.
 
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porkchopexpress
4:37AM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Hollywood, step into my office...." You're fucking fired!!! " Another completely pointless remake done for no other reason but cash. I'm depressed, man : (
Hollywood, step into my office...." You're fucking fired!!! " Another completely pointless remake done for no other reason but cash. I'm depressed, man : (
 
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Servo
3:55AM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Remakes aren't a bad thing. They're as old as film itself and I'm sure there are plenty that everyone on this site loves.



Having said that, since anything with the "Highlander" label that isn't the first movie is about as entertaining and as stimulating as wrapping raw bacon around my neck and being thrown into a pit with a rabid Rosie O'Donnell..



eh. why the fuck...
Remakes aren't a bad thing. They're as old as film itself and I'm sure there are plenty that everyone on this site loves.



Having said that, since anything with the "Highlander" label that isn't the first movie is about as entertaining and as stimulating as wrapping raw bacon around my neck and being thrown into a pit with a rabid Rosie O'Donnell..



eh. why the fuck not.
 
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Mut
3:25AM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Boo, hiss, bah humbug, fuck this shit, and blow me. I'm sick of these freakin' remakes. It's gotten to the point where they could announce a remake of "Pulp Fiction" and I wouldn't be at all surprised. What a sad state of affairs.
Boo, hiss, bah humbug, fuck this shit, and blow me. I'm sick of these freakin' remakes. It's gotten to the point where they could announce a remake of "Pulp Fiction" and I wouldn't be at all surprised. What a sad state of affairs.
 
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plissken2013
3:11AM on 05/21/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Anime
You forgot the Yoshiaki Kawajiri anime, The search for vengeance. It was OK, but not as good as Kawajiri's best works (Vampire hunter D: Bloodlust, Ninja scroll,...), because it was clearly too Americanized. I'm waiting for a director's cut of this one.

As for the remake, well, I don't really care... It's not as intolerable as a Mad Max remake, for example.
You forgot the Yoshiaki Kawajiri anime, The search for vengeance. It was OK, but not as good as Kawajiri's best works (Vampire hunter D: Bloodlust, Ninja scroll,...), because it was clearly too Americanized. I'm waiting for a director's cut of this one.

As for the remake, well, I don't really care... It's not as intolerable as a Mad Max remake, for example.
 
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KcMsterpce
11:38PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
if it's better than any of the sequels...
... then I won't make many complaints.



I love HIGHLANDER and don't think it needs a remake.

Then again, it would have been better if HIGHLANDER was the only movie of the series that existed.



Can a remake of the original be as bad?
... then I won't make many complaints.



I love HIGHLANDER and don't think it needs a remake.

Then again, it would have been better if HIGHLANDER was the only movie of the series that existed.



Can a remake of the original be as bad?
 
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enver
11:27PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i'm not as furious about the remake...
as I will be if they can't top the Queen soundtrack. Let's resurrect Freddie Mercury
as I will be if they can't top the Queen soundtrack. Let's resurrect Freddie Mercury
 
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theshadowalker
11:01PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Some perspective:


Hollywood has always remade movies...hell, 1940's 'Gaslight' got remade in 1946! And Bogart's 1941 'Maltese Falcon' WAS a remake (and the original was released only ten years earlier, in 1931).



Now, I'm a huge fan of the original 'Highlander'; but those sequels were just mind-blowingly awful ('Highlander II' is, in my opinion, easily the Worst Sequel Ever).


...


Hollywood has always remade movies...hell, 1940's 'Gaslight' got remade in 1946! And Bogart's 1941 'Maltese Falcon' WAS a remake (and the original was released only ten years earlier, in 1931).



Now, I'm a huge fan of the original 'Highlander'; but those sequels were just mind-blowingly awful ('Highlander II' is, in my opinion, easily the Worst Sequel Ever).



So, if they're going to keep filming 'Highlander' movies, I suppose it's best to reset/remake/reboot the whole thing rather than continuing with those absolutely inane, and increasingly contradictory, sequels.



Besides, there'd be almost as many years between the original movie and a remake as there were between Lugosi's and Lee's respective Draculas...and I'd say that Lugosi's Dracula was far more iconic than Lambert's MacLeod.



So, if the remake's done well (as with 'The Fly' remake), and not poorly (as with 'The Hitcher' remake), I'll be fine with another 'Highlander'.
 
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lalex81
10:57PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I love the idea of a remake, I hate that it's not me doing it.

Casting? Get an unkown actor for McLeod, a scottish actor. For Ramirez maybe another former 007, Dalton or Brosnan.

And whatever you do DON'T make McLeaod be "the only one" at the end of the movie because then you are doomed to invent stupid excuses and ilogical premises for the sequels.
I love the idea of a remake, I hate that it's not me doing it.

Casting? Get an unkown actor for McLeod, a scottish actor. For Ramirez maybe another former 007, Dalton or Brosnan.

And whatever you do DON'T make McLeaod be "the only one" at the end of the movie because then you are doomed to invent stupid excuses and ilogical premises for the sequels.
 
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shelman2392
10:39PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
NO No NO no NO no NO!!!
I love the first one and even some of the sequels are mildly entertaining in that bad sort of way. However the last one that came "Highlander: The Source" was an absolute embarrassment that screamed cheap & ruined the whole mystery of why they were immortal and cheapened the whole mythology. It seemed like they decided well we have to explain why these guys are immortal so why don't we come...
I love the first one and even some of the sequels are mildly entertaining in that bad sort of way. However the last one that came "Highlander: The Source" was an absolute embarrassment that screamed cheap & ruined the whole mystery of why they were immortal and cheapened the whole mythology. It seemed like they decided well we have to explain why these guys are immortal so why don't we come up with the stupidest possible explanation & use special effects that are even cheaper than what was used in 1986. Talk about the lamest bad guy of all the movies! Anyway if this is anything like the god-awful TV show, This will ruin it even more...if that's even possible.
 
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reddwarffan
10:15PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I'm Done
I know after a 100 years of movies, ideas are running thin. But stop remaking great movies, if your gonna remake a movie, remake a piece of shit movie and get it right. I swear if they remake Caddyshack, lives will be lost and hell will be raised.
I know after a 100 years of movies, ideas are running thin. But stop remaking great movies, if your gonna remake a movie, remake a piece of shit movie and get it right. I swear if they remake Caddyshack, lives will be lost and hell will be raised.
 
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Balboa6
10:09PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Horrible IdeaT
This is the stupidest idea ever. They didn't even finish the franchise that's already been established. Why can't they just make a great finale to the franchise. THEN if they want to remake the original go ahead...
This is the stupidest idea ever. They didn't even finish the franchise that's already been established. Why can't they just make a great finale to the franchise. THEN if they want to remake the original go ahead...
 
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ele
9:53PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
There can be only one
sounds like a lot of folk in hollywood land need to be decapitated.
sounds like a lot of folk in hollywood land need to be decapitated.
 
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Omen666
9:45PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Hooray!
I'm a huge fan of the original film, but I always felt that it was a little cheesy. With todays special effects and the same storyline, Highlander could be epic! As far as actors, I would love to see the original cast, but they're all a little weathered. Maybe Depp, Bale or Clive Owen as Macloud and Willis as Ramirez? What about Jude Law as the baddie? Well, there'll never be another...
I'm a huge fan of the original film, but I always felt that it was a little cheesy. With todays special effects and the same storyline, Highlander could be epic! As far as actors, I would love to see the original cast, but they're all a little weathered. Maybe Depp, Bale or Clive Owen as Macloud and Willis as Ramirez? What about Jude Law as the baddie? Well, there'll never be another Clancy Brown.
 
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zaika
9:42PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
SERIOUSLY
The Queen soundtrack!!!

You can't fuck with that shit.
The Queen soundtrack!!!

You can't fuck with that shit.
 
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zaika
9:42PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Best movie ever
Ok. I'm mad. I will post as many times as I have to until I'm happy again.

DON'T TOUCH THE HIGHLANDER!!!!!!
Ok. I'm mad. I will post as many times as I have to until I'm happy again.

DON'T TOUCH THE HIGHLANDER!!!!!!
 
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Muta
9:41PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I don't think this is too bad. I mean..the franchise is in the shitter right now. Maybe it's cause i'm not as attached to Highlander as saaay..RoboCop. FUCK THEY'RE REMAKING ROBOCOP!!! GAAAHHH!
I don't think this is too bad. I mean..the franchise is in the shitter right now. Maybe it's cause i'm not as attached to Highlander as saaay..RoboCop. FUCK THEY'RE REMAKING ROBOCOP!!! GAAAHHH!
 
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zaika
9:34PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
blasphemy!!!!!!
Oh Dear God in heaven please make these people chop off each others heads.

I absolutely LOVE "Highlander"!!!!

I will cry......right now.
Oh Dear God in heaven please make these people chop off each others heads.

I absolutely LOVE "Highlander"!!!!

I will cry......right now.
 
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ElderPredator
8:38PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WTF!
You have got to be f#cking kidding me? Whoever came up with this idea should be hung upside down and dipped in sulphuric acid. How dare they try to remake one of my favourite movies of all-time!
You have got to be f#cking kidding me? Whoever came up with this idea should be hung upside down and dipped in sulphuric acid. How dare they try to remake one of my favourite movies of all-time!
 
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mathuVSmathu
8:21PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
"i've also dreamnt of reinventing this franchise"





come on now..



don't people dream up their own shit anymore?



at least Patty Wachsberger didn't get too ambitious and suck at life...



No Way!! that'd be crazy. instead the mofo instead dreamnt of recreating a mediocre franchise instead... and look at him go... he's a success..
"i've also dreamnt of reinventing this franchise"





come on now..



don't people dream up their own shit anymore?



at least Patty Wachsberger didn't get too ambitious and suck at life...



No Way!! that'd be crazy. instead the mofo instead dreamnt of recreating a mediocre franchise instead... and look at him go... he's a success..

face it Highlander is mediocre

well...come on now...we all saw that show..

didn't a new highlander flick come out like a month ago?









 
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DroopMasterD
8:05PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
the first one was gold and the anime wasnt too shabby but maybe a remake will jumpstart the series again
the first one was gold and the anime wasnt too shabby but maybe a remake will jumpstart the series again
 
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todd_dyson
7:48PM on 05/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
i dug the first one, and endgame was it?



but a reboot? come on. ill always be a fan of the older flicks but this isnt nesecary, at all. so unfortunate.
i dug the first one, and endgame was it?



but a reboot? come on. ill always be a fan of the older flicks but this isnt nesecary, at all. so unfortunate.
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