There can be only one! And for now, that’s all there’s going to be. Ryan Reynolds has decided that the reboot of 1986’s Highlander is just not for him and has dropped out of the film.
The Highlander reboot has been kicking around at least since 2011, when Justin Lin was attached to direct the film. Lin left to direct Fast &s 6 and director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) jumped in. Then Fresnadillo peaced-out in November of last year due to ‘creative differences.’ Now Ryan Reynolds, who has stuck through it all, has dropped out too. No wonder.
Reynolds would have played Connor MacLeod, the role originated by Christopher Lambert, the immortal Scottish warrior who fights other warriors across the ages to arrive at The Gathering, the final confrontation that will decide the winner of ‘The Prize.’ In Highlander, MacLeod is trained in the ways of awesome by none other than Sean Connery. The film and its sequels have reached cult status, spawning a TV show and even a novelization. It was only a matter of time before it got moved up to reboot.
With the exit of Reynolds, it looks like the Highlander reboot might have to start all over again. A new director will bring a new star, and maybe this thing can get off the ground. Then again, maybe it’s better to just let sleeping immortals lie and try coming up with an original idea for a change. Remember when Hollywood did those?
If you’re desperate for your Ryan Reynolds fix, you’ll be able to see him in R.I.P.D., hitting theatres later this year.
If you simply must experience immortal warriors duking it out across the ages? Go for the original Highlander and marvel at the 80s style and Sean Connery’s mustache. Really. It’s totally worth it.
