Lionsgate deal: "John Wick" director Chad Stahelski will head up all projects in the "Highlander" franchise

Under a new deal with Lionsgate, "John Wick" director Chad Stahelski will officially assume creative control of the entire "Highlander" franchise across film, television and multimedia platforms. And the previously announced re-imagined version of Highlander, starring Henry Cavill, will be the first film under his direction.

Here's What We Know

According to the press release, Stahelski and his production team at 87Eleven Entertainment have "comprehensive multi-platform content strategy for both franchises".

Lionsgate chairman Joe Drake listed the "Highlander" reboot as one of the company's key releases for 2026 back in November of last year.

"This deal expands on the great creative relationship we already have in place on John Wick and extends it to our Highlander franchise" Drake said in an announcement. - "From the outset, Chad has been the creative force defining the world of Wick; as we continue to think about the future for that world, we want Chad, working together with Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee of Thunder Road, as our stewards guiding us and strategizing together at every step. This deal makes it official, and we look forward to his steady hand and creative input not just on the film he is making, but other stories that arise from it. He is a true visionary, and we are thrilled to have him in our corner."

Obviously we'll have to wait to see what grand plans are in store for the "Highlander" franchise, but the "John Wick" franchise has already been going strong since the release of "John Wick: Chapter 4" last year. The upcoming "Ballerina" project with Ana de Armas is expected to premiere on 7 June 2024, and Chad Stahelski has previously made hints about working on animation and a standalone TV project separate from "The Continental".

Source: IGN