Summary
Henry Cavill’s new fantasy movie,Highlander, has received a big boost thanks to aJohn Wick 5update. Since theending ofJohn Wick: Chapter 4, discussions about a fifth installment in the series have been common. While aspin-off in the form ofThe Ballerinais coming in 2025 and will see Keanu Reeves reprise his role as John Wick, a direct sequel toJohn Wick: Chapter 4has been officially confirmed, but is yet to enter official development.
That said, a recentupdate aboutJohn Wick 5was unveiled, potentially hinting that the film will be released sooner rather than later. This report pertained toJohn Wick 5’s apparent filming start, claiming that it would begin production as early as 2025. However, since then, the rumor has been debunked byCollider, containing a brief snippet of information that massively benefits a completely different franchise toJohn Wickstarring Henry Cavill.
John Wick
“John Wick” is a neo-noir action-thriller franchise centered around a retired hitman who returns to the criminal underworld to seek vengeance. Known for its intense and stylistic action sequences, the franchise has redefined modern action cinema with its choreographed gunfights, hand-to-hand combat, and intricate world-building. The series explores themes of loyalty, honor, and survival in a secret society of assassins.
Highlander’s Director Will Not Split His Focus
The connection betweenHighlanderandJohn Wicklies in the director involved in both, Chad Stahelski. Stahelski has directed all fourJohn Wickmovies, the first alongside David Leitch, making a name for himself as a fantastic director of action movies involving epic stunts, hand-to-hand fights, and shoot-outs. Stahelski was confirmed as the director for theHighlanderreboot/remake in 2016, between the production ofJohn WickandJohn Wick: Chapter 2,meaning the film has been in development for almost 10 years.
Henry Cavill’s Highlander Reboot: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
The Highlander reboot has been in development for over a decade but may finally be moving forward with director Chad Stahelski and star Henry Cavill.
The film has taken so long to enter production primarily due to Stahelski’s commitment to theJohn Wickfranchise, tying back to the aforementionedColliderreport. In this report, it was mentioned that"Stahelski’s full focus, creatively and mentally, is on directing, writing, and producing Highlander.“This was given as the primary reason as to whyJohn Wick: Chapter 5will not go into production in 2025. Thankfully, Stahelski is not trying to balance both projects at the same time, which could result in both being adversely affected. Instead,Highlanderis Stahelski’s priority, meaning he can give the reboot his full attention.
John Wick Proves How Great Henry Cavill’s Highlander Can Be With Stahelski’s Full Focus
Stahelski Can Craft Amazing Movies When Focused
Stahelski givingHighlanderhis full focus alone is a benefit to the film, but this is supported even more so when looking at theJohn Wickfranchise. As alluded to, Stahelski has directed nothing else since 2014’sJohn Wick, pouring a full decade of blood, sweat, and tears into crafting the three sequels for the movie. As many would agree,ranking theJohn Wickfranchiseis difficult, yet each film can be argued to have improved on the last, garnering increasingly positive audience and critical responses thanks primarily to Stahelski’s singular focus on making them the best possible films they can be.
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A
As evident,Stahelski’s focus allowed theJohn Wickfranchise to continuously improve. Furthermore, this improvement did not only come in terms of reception but commercial success too.John Wickearned a worldwide total of $86 million before its sequel shattered expectations, grossing $174 million worldwide. The third film then improved again, withJohn Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellumgarnering a worldwide haul of $328 million, almost double its predecessor. Finally,John Wick: Chapter 4was the highest-grossing film yet, earning a worldwide total of $440 million.
If Stahelski proves as committed toHighlanderas it seems he will be, this franchise could have a similar trajectory…
The continuous improvement of theJohn Wickfranchise is a testament to Stahelski and his commitment to making these films. If Stahelski proves as committed toHighlanderas it seems he will be, this franchise could have a similar trajectory.TheHighlanderreboot could prove to be something special asJohn Wickwas, hopefully succeeding commercially and leading to a franchise. If so,Highlandercould become the next major fantasy franchise under Stahelski’s guidance, just asJohn Wickdid for modern action franchises and givingHenry Cavill his Geralt of Rivia replacement.
The Highlander Franchise Could Still Have A John Wick Problem In The Future
One Scenario Gives Highlander & John Wick Similar Issues
Despite the obvious positives Chad Stahelski brings to theHighlanderfranchise, it could face a similar issue to theJohn Wickfilms. If Stahelski succeeds withHighlanderand it becomes a critical and commercial success, the studio will undoubtedly want sequels to be made. Stahelski himself has even teased the possibility of a franchise being born from the first movie on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast. However,given thatJohn Wick 5has been confirmed, Stahelski will eventually have to focus once more on that franchise, pulling him away fromHighlander.
A possibility is that Stahelski gives up John Wick 5 to another director, though this is admittedly unlikely given his prior commitment.
In this scenario, two options are possible. The first is that a long gap betweenHighlanderand any sequels takes place, giving Stahelski time to directJohn Wick 5before returning to the former franchise. The second reality is that Stahelski passes on directingHighlandersequels in favor of returning to theJohn Wickseries, which could negatively impact the new franchise’s quality. Regardless, theHighlandercould run into this problem, should Stahelski’s focus on the first movie turn it into the successful franchise many believe it could be.
