Ryan Reynolds Wanted for Highlander Reboot

Posted by on May 22nd, 2012   Filed under: Action, Fantasy, Remakes, Rumours
Source: Variety

Last summer wasn’t a great one for Ryan Reynolds, who had two films (Green Lantern and The Change-Up) that kinda failed at the box office. Safe House ended up being a somewhat better showing for him, although that was largely due to Denzel Washington’s presence. There is still a lot of doubt surrounding his ability to headline a big studio tentpole, and yet, the offers haven’t stopped coming in. His next major starring role will be in R.I.P.D. with Jeff Bridges, and he is also still attached to star in Fox’s Deadpool movie. Now this month we have word that he is close to signing on for the upcoming Highlander remake as well. If there can only be one, I don’t think this is the one we all had in mind.

According to Variety, Reynolds is the current frontrunner to play Connor MacLeod in the new Highlander film (assuming that the main character’s name is retained from the original), an immortal swordsman who engages in combat to the death with others of his kind. The sole survivor is awarded “The Prize”. Christopher Lambert played the lead role in the 1986 film and three of its sequels, while Clancy Brown played his arch enemy The Kurgan.

Ryan Reynolds is said to be weighing other potential opportunities, and it’s not yet clear if an offer has been made, however, both Lionsgate and director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) want him on board. It sounds like it could be a big opportunity for Reynolds, but considering how poorly he anchored the fantastical elements of Green Lantern, I don’t know that this is a good fit for him. That being said, perhaps Fresnadillo is taking the remake in a very different direction. Can you see Ryan Reynolds as The Highlander? Does it make you more or less interested in a Highlander remake?



  • Kasper

    I love Ryan Reynolds when he’s in his right element – that being something comedic. I don’t care to see him as an action star though and his past choices (Blade Trinity, Green Lantern) haven’t given me much hope that he’ll ever do a good action movie.

  • Anthony

    I just want a Deadpool movie.

  • Nelson

    I don’t know if “wanted” is exactly the word I would use
    to describe it :)

    Maybe Reynolds is known as a “nice guy” and a person that can “get it done”, but that doesn’t mean they should slap his name on any action adventure/superhero movie that comes along, simply because they can.

    I would think the studios would have learned this lesson by now.

    Half the time it is better to go with a relatively unknown actor for many of these projects.

  • “If there can only be one, I don’t think this is the one we all had in mind.”

    Please don’t pretend that this is some ultra-prestigious gig or something. Whether or not he’s right for it, just about ANYONE with any sort of action or acting chops would be better than what we had in the first round of Highlander films. I liked the first film just fine, but the rest was complete junk. I do think that Reynolds could be entertaining as a guy that’s been around forever that just can’t be killed, but if he’s going to play that kind of character, I’d rather they get a move on with “Deadpool” already.

  • 1138sw

    Bleeeaaah…Ryan Reynolds is likeable but that’s it. I can’t take the guy seriously for some reason even when he’s in a serious role. I always expect him to run off a one liner or something.

    Wish he was never cast as GL…granted the movie was a waste of time but he didn’t do anything to improve it either.

  • Brendan

    I used to love Highlander, but I re-watched it recently and it really doesn’t hold up well at all. There are still some things I liked about it, but overall it’s just not good.

    So I think they could do a remake that is better than the original. I don’t think Reynolds is the right fit, though. I guess it depends on the script, but since I assume it’s still about a tribal Scotsman, there’s more appropriate actors out there. After watching Game of Thrones, I wouldn’t mind seeing someone like Sean Bean in this role.

  • Steve

    NNNOOOO!!!!…you leave Highlander alone hollywood…dont go fucking up a good thing

  • Pete

    I didn’t think Green Lantern was THAT bad, but they royally screwed up Deadpool in the Wolverine film. Reynolds should stick to comedy, I don’t think he’s the best pick for Connor McLeod.

    My question is why oh why didn’t they ask Gerard Butler?

  • Yuri

    “If there can only be one, I don’t think this is the one we all had in mind.”

    Brilliant!! Had me laughing so hard!!

  • Steve

    In response to Pete, I think Renolds is the perfect pick for deadpool. He can pull of the smart mouthed one liners better than most, which is what made him as an actor. I cant think of anyone better they could choose, to play “the merc with a mouth.”

  • Jodie

    My friend works for Summit Entertainment and she has told me they have their eye on a British guy called Kaden at the moment. Yeh yeh I know all the baddies in Highlander have begun with a K, but this guy is really good with swords apparantly. Nothing certain tho. I have heard he Has raised some pulses amongst the ladies there according to my sources.