Twilight Writer to Pen the New Highlander Script?

The Internet is buzzing with rumors that the new Highlander reboot that’s been in the works for sometime might just have a new writer—Melissa Rosenberg. That’s right, Melissa Rosenberg, the woman responsible for the gawd-awful atrocities that are the Twilight movies (though Stephanie Meyer did a good job of screwing things up before Rosenberg ever got her hands on the source material). Yeah, I hate Twilight and I’m not afraid to say it. I’ve never read the books and the 1 movie I literally got dragged to made me want to poke my eyes out.

Before you go ballistic like I did when I first heard that the New Highlander might be getting The Twilight treatment, take a minute to think about it. Highlander is, after all, a love story. Sure there are cool-ass sword fights, beheadings, evil villains that make Harry Potter’s nemesis look like a Ken Doll, and plenty of blood—but it’s a romance at heart. Connor has to give up his bonnie Heather as he out lives her and spends a couple of centuries filling the aching hole in his heart with meaningless sex and bloodshed. If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn old Bill Shakespeare might have something to do with that script!

So let’s take this piece by piece.

The Highlander Reboot

I love the original Highlander movie. Love it to frelling pieces. I’ve seen it I don’t know how many times and even posed with a katana in my yearbook picture. I was also a big fan of the show though it was a bit hokey at times.

That said, I’m all for a reboot. That’s weird coming from me because I’m usually so anti-reboot it’s not funny. Let’s face it though, Highlander 2 was a total waste of time and the movie franchise just went downhill from there (though I will admit that if another Highlander movie with Adrian Paul came out tomorrow I’d pay money to see it just ‘cause).

It would be interesting to see what Hollywood could do with an excellent script, a fresh actor, and some new technology—the special effects in the first Highlander movies weren’t all that special. It would be really hard to get over the fact that Christopher Lambert and Clancy Brown wouldn’t be in it but I could manage.

In fact, one fan-casting actually put Thomas Jane in the lead role of Connor MacLeod. That I wouldn’t mind seeing if he could adopt a mishmash accent like Lambert did.

The Twilight Writer

Okay, so who is this woman that dares to believe she can recreate the Highlander universe successfully? Yes, she did write the eyebleedingly awful Twilight saga but she’s also done some other work in Hollywood as well.
Here’s a short list of her writing credits:
• Dexter
• Hercules: The Legendary journeys
• The outer Limits
• Party of Five (Mmmm. Lacy Chalbert)

However, she’s also worked on some absolute crap including Ally McBeal, Love Monkey (sorry Tom Cavanagh), and The O.C..

So while I’m still inclined to think that she’s going to royally bone the Highlander reboot script, I’m willing to hold my judgment until I actually see the movie. Who knows, her script may never make it to production so all of this bellyaching may be for nothing.

Fan-Casting The Highlander Reboot

So now let me play armchair director here for a bit and tell you who I would like to see in the Highlander reboot if it ever does make it to production.

Connor MacLeod

How’s about Thomas Jane?

He’s definitely got the chops for the role plus he looks the part. I also think he could pull off a cool accent if he had to.

My second choice would probably be Aaron Eckhart (mostly because I always confuse him with Thomas Jane). He’s got the look but I’ve never seen him play anything dark or disturbed. Let us not forget that there is a certain amount of humor in The Highlander series though that Eckhart could easily pull off.

My third choice would be a Scottish actor. (Why I don’t know. Lambert is French for crying out loud!). Probably Gerard Butler. The man is an excellent actor and has proved that he can get his body in shape for a movie. Lots of folks have thrown out Clive Owen but I just don’t think he has “it.”

The Kurgan

There has been a lot of speculation about who might be up for this role. I’ve heard Vinnie Jones (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Robert Knepper (Hitman who would be horrible in the role). You need somebody really dark and imposing. Physically fit isn’t exactly one of the main criteria but menacing is.

This role was played to perfection by Clancy Brown and ideally I would like to see him back in the role but barring that (which I don’t think would ever happen) I would choose Norman Reedus. He’s muscular enough and can sure play one crazy muther.

(If you can come up with a better Kurgan, let me know!)

Ramirez

This is one tough bitch to recast because the role was play by Sean Effing Connery. So who could possibly hope to fill his shoes?

One possible suggestion is Viggo Mortenson. I love this actor but I just don’t think he’s right for Ramirez. Perhaps someone more like Nestor Carbonell or Henry Ian Cusick. Yes, they are young but this is a remake and Immortals are . . . well, immortal.

If you must have an older mentor for Connor, how about the man himself: Christopher Lambert? He’s certainly aged well and has the humor and seriousness that the role would require.

If You Know Better, Chime In

These are just my thoughts and if you know somebody who would be better to play one of these roles, let me know. Until then, don’t put the hex on The highlander Reboot just yet—it might actually be good!

P.S.: Here’s a link to a Highlander Forum where they’re discussing this very thing.

Robert Palmer (90 Posts)

I'm a writer, a geek, and a wannabe movie star. I grew up reading Stephen King and watching Star Wars. I rant here but you can hire me at http://www.therealrobertpalmer.com