Highlander (Reboot)
This article hold back subtle references to sexual ravishment .
Summary
Although theHighlanderreboot is one of theupcoming movies byJohn Wickdirector Chad Stahlehskiand set to have A - leaning actor Henry Cavill in the lead as Connor MacLeod , there are plenty of movies in the natural action , illusion , and scientific discipline fiction genres that are very similar to the 1986 original . Written by Greg Widen , the 1986Highlanderfollows the immortal Scottish swordsman , Connor , as he embarks on a pursuance to defeat his fellow immortal swordsmen and prevent the remorseless barbarian Kurgan from attaining " The Prize . " SupportingHighlander ’s unequalled premiss is a meticulously crafted earth filled with distinct personality , dazzle special essence , and amazing brand fights .
TheHighlanderreboot is one of many projects Stahelski is working on , as the managing director steps back from the belovedJohn Wickfranchise to deliver high - octane action and shiver to audiences with unlike characters and time periods . GivenStahelski ’s success in the action movie music genre with theJohn Wickseries , and Cavill ’s star power steadily rise since his breakout office in 2013’sMan of Steel , it ’s secure to say theHighlanderreboot is in good bridge player . While Stahelski and Cavill’sHighlanderis exciting , there are plenty of film that either influenced or were regulate by the original picture , thus sharing similar root word , tonus , and even aesthetics .
Highlander reboot theater director Chad Stahelski is celebrate the franchise ’s future in mind , which is a hopeful sign for potential sequels and spin - offs .
10Dragonslayer (1981)
Dragonslayer shares similar fantasy elements and dark themes with Highlander
author - theatre director Matthew Robbins ’s 1981 dark illusion movie , Dragonslayer , centers around the protagonist , Galen Bradwarden , and his seeking to defeat a sinewy dragon refer Vermithrax Pejorative , and stop him from feasting on virgin women in a nearby village . DragonslayerandHighlandershare very exchangeable configurations and aesthetics as both movies are set in a sullen fantasy world and feature unbelievable steel fighters weather insuperable odds . to boot , Highlander ’s quickening effects andDragonslayer ’s Vermithrax fire - breathing issue both deepen the sensation of danger in each movie . However , despite Galen ’s boylike unacquainted look and Connor ’s famous pedestrian appearance from 1985,both admirer partake in the same signified of valorousness in their various stories .
Cast
9The 13th Warrior (1999)
The 13th Warrior’s epic scale, atmosphere, and sword fights are reminiscent of the first two Highlander films
The thirteenth Warrioris one of the few action movies likeHighlanderto see a theatrical freeing well afterHighlander ’s 1986 release , thus lead toThe 13th Warriorcontaining many insidious visual reference to the eighties cult classic . free-base on Michael Critchton ’s 1976 novel , Eaters of the Dead , The 13th Warriorsees Antonio Banderas as Ahmad ibn Fadlan , an Arabic traveler and warrior renowned for his acquirement with a blade , incidentally involved in a political difference of opinion . In plus toThe 13th Warrior ’s familiar setting and action , the movie share a similar theme of its admirer unwittingly involved in a bombastic scale warfare , and desperately fight to resolve it .
8Escape from New York (1981)
Escape from New York’s Snake Plissken’s is just as much an unconventional hero as Conor MacLeod
John Carpenter ’s sci - fi natural action flick , Escape from New York , sees Kurt Russell as Snake Plissken , a criminal who once serve in the US Army during World War III . After he ’s offered a blastoff at an erased criminal record , Snake correspond to rescue the President from utter risk . Escape from New YorkandHighlander ’s futurist esthetic are very similar , but , their similar loth hero - trend protagonists are even more similar . While Snake want to take advantage of authorise his name , he ’s loath to assist the land he feel betrayed him . Alternatively , Connor ’s reluctance to construct relationship with people because of his immortal status get it difficult for him to bond with citizenry .
7Conan The Destroyer (1984)
Conan the Destroyer’s fantasy aesthetic and sword fights fit perfectly in Highlander’s mythos
The sequel to Richard Fleischer ’s 1982 epic sword and sorcery movie , Conan the Barbarian , Conan the Destroyersees Arnold Schwarzenegger repeat his role as the titular , brawniness - bound hero as he and a ragtag group of adventurer embark on an epic quest to rescue Princess Jehnna from evil forces of Akiro and his crony . Featuring many new and old face , Conan the Destroyer ’s fantasy esthetics combined with its complex fighting scenesand well - choreograph action are utterly find on display inHighlander . Additionally , Conan ’s sense of obligation and faultless attainment with a blade are additional similarities betweenConan the DestroyerandHighlander .
6Red Sonja (1985)
Red Sonja’s bravery and grit perfectly matches Connor MacLeod’s
Red Sonjacenters around the fearless warrior known as Red Sonja , and her pursuance to avenge the death of her family , enact her own stain of justness against the men who befoul her as a youthful girl , and free her kingdom of the merciless evil Queen Gedren . WhileRed Sonja ’s female - centric mould and theme give the flick a unique position on the epic blade and necromancy genre , it still contains many of the attributes rife in the writing style . In carnal knowledge toHighlander , Red Sonja ’s intimate geographics is notable , butRed Sonja ’s picture as a fearless and determined warrioris perhaps the greatest similarity thatRed Sonjashares withHighlander .
The Highlander series has been plagued by many underwhelming sequels , but Henry Cavill and Chad Stahelski could modify that in the Highlander reboot .
5Mortal Kombat (1995)
Christopher Lambert’s work as Raiden and Mortal Kombat’s premise connect the movie to Highlander
Paul W. S. Anderson’sMortal Kombatis the first live - action movie adjustment of the pop video games serial of the same name that centers around skilled warlike artist from around the world contend in a deadly tourney to decide the destiny of the world . DespiteMortal Kombat ’s miscellaneous receipt , Christopher Lambert ’s work as Raiden is a consistent source of praise from audiences conversant with the genre both new and quondam . This is because , in spite of the moving-picture show ’s overall inconsistent tone , Lambert prime the action with a performance that ’s reminiscent of Sean Connery ’s Juan Sánchez - Villalobos Ramírez mentor fibre fromHighlander .
what is more , Lambert ’s cast as Raiden , Mortal Kombat ’s thunder god , is a insidious nod toHighlander ’s quickening issue seen whenever an immortal is beheaded , thus roleplay as a decent Easter testis for audiences intimate with Lambert ’s employment . However , a more substantialconnection betweenHighlanderandMortal Kombatis each movie ’s atmosphere and premiss . Both enfranchisement include herculean warriors engage in one C - long battles to decide the circumstances of the existence , and each movie is set in dystopian mount that highlight their idea . With their cult status among cinephiles and similar motif , Mortal KombatandHighlanderhave much in common beyond Lambert ’s appearances in both franchise .
4The Blade trilogy (1998, 2002, 2004)
The Blade trilogy’s themes and atmosphere hearken back to Highlander’s musing about prophecies and fate
TheBladetrilogy sees Wesley Snipes as Eric Brooks , better make love as Blade , work with various individual to combat the evil vampiric forces that imperil to bring about a new age escape by bloodsucker by utilizing various swords , guns , and futuristic technology . Furthermore , Blade ’s postmodern ocular esthetics , while still retain many tropes and conventions appropriate to gothic vampire lore , share a common visual flare withHighlander ’s portmanteau of Scottish mythology and the sensibilities of 1980s New York City . Additionally , Blade ’s condition as a Daywalker , that is , a half - human , half - lamia hybrid , fundamentally makes him an immortal , like to Connor ’s immortal use as a Highlander .
3Equilibrium (2002)
Equilibrium’s sword fighting and futuristic aesthetic are reminiscent of Highlander’s
Kurt Wimmer’sEquilibriumsees Christian Bale as John Preton , a law enforcement broker tax with enforce the law against anyone who express any shape of emotion , rising against his superiors in a totalitarian city - state after the events of World War III . noted for its heavy use of the filmmaking technique Gun - fu , that is , characters using guns likewise to bladed weapons , Equilibrium ’s extremely stylise action and complex subject are reminiscent ofHighlander ’s . Moreover , the two movies share a common theme of their protagonists going against the grain , thus compelling every other character in their respective factions to run them down and bring them to justice .
2Excalibur (1981)
Highlander and Excalibur share similar themes of bravery and fate
John Boorman’sExcaliburis an heroic mediaeval fancy film that sees the fabled king of Brittain , Arthur , arise to the challenge of satisfy his destiny while merge the Britons around the Round Table of Camelot and combating vicious magical forces . Filled with a fat traditional knowledge , beautiful set pattern and cinematography , and revolutionize performances by its form , Excalibur ’s esthetic of knights combating evil magicians and necromancer combined with itsthemes of circumstances share the strongest similarities between itself andHighlander . what is more , bothExcaliburandHighlanderfeature well - choreograph brand fight that display their champion ’s growth throughout the course of their several narrative .
1The Duellists (1977)
Highlander creator Gregory Widen was directly influenced by The Duellists while enrolled at UCLA
base on the 20th C play , The Duel , by Polish - British novelist Joseph Conrad , The Duellistsis the introduction celluloid of Ridley Scott , and is a period dramatic event that sees two extremely skilled fencer with completely unlike temperaments engage in protracted steel fights that span the course of several years . WhileThe Duellists ’s European background and steel fighting are enough to draw a connection between it andHighlander , the conception of two caustic rivals engaging in fighting over the course of multiple year is the most substantial influence . By Widen ’s account , The Duellistswas a big inspiration onHighlander , withHighlanderswitching the context from a few days to centuries .
beginning : Empire
