Thanks to a new deal with Lionsgate, Chad Stahelski will get to take on Highlander and much more. The director signed a sweeping new deal with them to give him oversight on two franchises: Highlander and John Wick. The new pact will see Stahelski direct a reimagining of the 1986 film of the same name that starred Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown as immortals who must battle to collect power.
Stahelski has directed the first four John Wick movies in that franchise, with John Wick: Chapter 4 grossing over $440 million globally. The new deal will also see both action franchises on TV. Here’s what Joe Drake, outgoing chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group had to say.
“This deal expands on the great creative relationship we already have in place on John Wick and extends it to our Highlander franchise,”
Adam Fogelson, chair of the MPG had this to say about Stahelski.
“From the outset, Chad has been the creative force defining the world of Wick; as we continue to think about the future for that world, we want Chad, working together with Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee of Thunder Road, as our stewards guiding us and strategizing together at every step. This deal makes it official, and we look forward to his steady hand and creative input not just on the film he is making, but other stories that arise from it. He is a true visionary, and we are thrilled to have him in our corner.”
Finally, here’s what Chad Stahelski had to say about the partnership.
“I am pleased to be able to grow my relationship with Lionsgate in this new oversight role for the John Wick universe and its further expansion. John Wick is so close to my heart and to be able to continue shepherding it will be a blast for me. I’m so happy to also be launching another franchise with Highlander, a world that is so rich with engaging stories to be told.”
There’s no release date currently for Highlander. As for John Wick, the spinoff Ballerina is out on June 7th, 2024.
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