Ryan Reynolds Quit On A Highlander Reboot
“There can only be one.” In 2013, Ryan Reynolds exited the Highlander reboot in the works from Summit Entertainment and producers Neal Moritz and Peter Davis. According to The Wrap at the time, Reynolds left the project on good terms with Summit, and it was considered an amicable split by the producers. However, this put the Highlander reboot project back to square one.
The Ryan Reynolds Highlander reboot had been in development, with director Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) attached to helm the project. He left the project in November 2012 because he didn’t agree with the film’s producers about the reboot’s direction. Ironically enough, Fresnadillo left and then joined up with another reboot: The Crow, with actor Luke Evans in the title role.
Summit Entertainment wanted to move quickly with the Ryan Reynolds Highlander reboot, but with no director or lead, it had quite a few things to sort out before we’ll be able to see it in theaters (or made at all). The project had been in the works for years and had gone through multiple creative teams.
At one time, director Justin Lin was attached to helm the Highlander reboot. He ultimately opted out and went on to the Fast and The Furious film series with Fast Five and Fast & Furious 6.
Ryan Reynolds would have taken the lead role as Connor MacLeod, the immortal Scottish swordsman played by Christopher Lambert in the original Highlander film series.
That character Ryan Reynolds would have played is born in the Scottish Highlands in 1518. He becomes an immortal after being killed in battle, destined to fight other immortals until only one remains to claim the Prize. Connor hones his swordsmanship over the centuries to survive the Game. His primary nemesis is the brutal immortal Kurgan, and it seems the Ryan Reynolds version would have followed this story.
At the time, Ryan Reynolds star didn’t shine nearly as brightly as it would in coming years. He was coming off the rather disappointing Green Lantern showing and well before he took on the role of Deadpool. But seeing how it turned out, it would have likely been a massive win for The Highlander franchise well before he entered the superstardom realm. He’s proven to be a massive draw and one of the most engaging leading men we have going in Hollywood.
