The production of the Highlander reboot starring Henry Cavill has faced significant delays, as actor Dave Bautista recently revealed. Speaking about the film’s setbacks, Bautista pointed to a major studio transition as a key factor affecting the project’s timeline.
Impact of Amazon MGM Studios’ Acquisition
In an interview with Joe Deckelmeier of MovieWeb, Bautista explained that the rights to Highlander were acquired by Amazon MGM Studios earlier this year, which created uncertainty and slowed progress. He stated,
“I would be speaking out of turn if I said I knew what the issues were, but obviously, what the public does know and what I do know is that they changed studios,”
adding,
“That just changed the trajectory of everything because it just leaves everything up in the air. You start to lose your slot here and there, and everything that you already planned is completely shifted. Everybody’s contracts change, and then when you go to a new studio, they want to look at the script, and they want to pick it apart again, and then you’re getting notes from, like, 20 different executives. I imagine that had a lot to do with it.”
Previous Attempts and Rights History
Summit Entertainment originally acquired the Highlander franchise rights in 2008 and intended to reboot the 1986 film, with Ryan Reynolds attached to star. However, that incarnation never advanced. The recent acquisition by Amazon MGM Studios revived plans for a remake featuring Henry Cavill as the immortal warrior Connor MacLeod, signaling a fresh start for the franchise.
Additional Setback Caused by Henry Cavill’s Injury
Beyond the complexities brought by the change in studios, the project suffered another delay due to an injury Henry Cavill sustained on set. Despite this, Bautista praised Cavill’s determination to recover swiftly and return to filming.
“He’s busting his ass to get healed up and come back and do it all over again, because that’s what professional athletes do,”
Bautista commented, highlighting Cavill’s dedication.
The delays affecting Henry Cavill Highlander delay stem from a combination of corporate transitions and unforeseen production challenges, underscoring the difficulties in rebooting a beloved property. With Cavill’s recovery underway and the new studio taking a closer look at the project, the future of the remake remains cautiously optimistic but uncertain as it navigates these obstacles.
