You know how we generally feel about reboots and remakes around here. I’ll spare you the long version and just say we’re not usually a fan of them. Naturally, when we heard about a remake of the semi-classsic 1986 sci-fi fantasy film Highlander, we were skeptical to say the least.
However, a new development may just change our attitude. According to the distributor of the new film, as reported by Deadline, director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo is the pick to take the helm of the reboot. Here’s the statement (at least part of it) telling us just that:
Juan Carlos Fresnadillo will direct Summit Entertainment’s re-imagination of the cult film Highlander co-financed by RCR Media Group. Summit’s HIGHLANDER is written by Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. Neal H. Mortiz and Peter Davis will produce the project along with Enrique López Lavigne and Belen Atienza. Production on the film is slated to begin spring of 2012.
In HIGHLANDER, after centuries of dueling to survive against others like him, Connor MacLeod, an immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his kind, a murderously brutal barbarian, who lusts for the Prize.
In case you can’t figure out why we many be giving this one the benefit of the doubt (at least for now), you need to keep in mind that Fresnadillo directed 28 Weeks Later, which is very good, as well as the recent Intruders, which is getting great buzz and premiering at the Toronto Film Festival.
Looking forward to see what develops on this one. Of course, now we can begin speculating in earnest on who will end up being the three main characters: MacLeod, Ramirez and the dreaded Kurgan. They were played by Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Clancy Brown in the original and it will be fun to see who they end up casting.
What are your thougths?
