(Image Source: Men's Health)
Last month, Amazon and MGM Studios abruptly announced their acquisition of the "Highlander" reboot, a project that had been in development at Lionsgate for years. This move surprised many, especially since Henry Cavill was already set to star and "John Wick" series director Chad Stahelski was attached to helm the film, with production nearing. How could it suddenly change hands to another studio? Foreign media outlet The Wrap appears to have uncovered the answer.
(Image Source: Studiocanal)
According to exclusive internal sources at Lionsgate who spoke to The Wrap, the studio decided to abandon the project because Stahelski was seeking a $180 million budget, while Lionsgate aimed to keep it under $165 million. This budgetary concern stemmed from Lionsgate's belief that the "Highlander" IP's audience isn't large enough to justify such a financial risk. The core fanbase primarily consists of those who "remember" the original films, and that demographic isn't extensive, as "Highlander" has always been a niche IP that never achieved mainstream blockbuster status.
(Image Source: Studiocanal)
Lionsgate also reportedly harbored doubts about Cavill's consistent box office appeal. Aside from his roles as Superman in the DC Universe, many of Cavill's other theatrical releases have been outright box office bombs. This includes mid-to-large budget films like "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and "The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare," as well as the over-$200 million production "Argylle." These action films, originally intended to launch new franchises, all underperformed.
Given Lionsgate's recent financial setbacks, including losses from films like "Borderlands" and "The Crow" (2024), the studio, which was once rumored to be up for sale, could not afford another major financial hit. Consequently, they opted to part ways with Stahelski and the project.
via： The Wrap