Henry Cavill's New 80s Reboot Is John Wick Meets The Witcher & It's More Exciting Than Either Franchise's Future

Published Sep 14, 2026, 5:20 PM EDT Simon Gallagher has worked in movie and TV journalism for more than 17 years. He has written more than 6000 articles and reviews, and edited thousands more. He is an expert in the entertainment industry, particularly in the golden age of screen superheroes. Simon is also a Rotten Tomatoes approved critic. Henry Cavill might well be the biggest individual force in high fantasy at the moment. He’s like a one-man intersection of nerd culture and deep lore IPs, whose genuine passion for Warhammer 40,000 and commitment to taking on major roles in the genre make him an ideal poster boy. Before he gets his Warhammer franchise off the ground (an incredibly exciting prospect in itself), he’s already put in work establishing The Witcher as a screen franchise, and appeared in the less-remembered Immortals, and played an against-type antagonist in Matthew Vaughn’s Stardust. He has fantasy blood, in other words, and his next role in the genre is the most exciting of them all. At some point in the next two years, Chad Stahelski’s long-gestating Highlander reboot will finally make it to screens after almost two decades stuck in development hell. Initially announced way back in 2008, Highlander only brought Stahelski on board in 2016, and it took another 5 years for the news that Cavill was set to join him to appear. How it took so long for such a perfect marriage feels even stranger now. Cavill has already foreshadowed a deeper commitment to lore, which he has plenty of experience with thanks to The Witcher, and Stahelski’s experience founding the John Wick universe makes brutal action a guarantee. Not only does it sound like it’s going to be well worth the wait, but also that it could surpass the next chapters in the two franchises that might well influence it the most… Highlander Is More Exciting Than John Wick 5 & The Witcher Season 5 Image by Everett Collection Both the John Wick universe and The Witcher have reached points where their long-term momentum is stalling, even with upcoming projects in both universes. 3 years ago, John Wick: Chapter 4's ending delivered a definitive, and let’s be honest, triumphant climax for Keanu Reeves' iconic action hero, but we were told there was more potential in the world even without him. Since then, we’ve seen spinoffs that simply haven’t reached the same height, and at some point, you have to wonder how much Reeves’ presence is tied to the IPs success. Meanwhile, the narrative trajectory of The Witcher tells a similar story; after a strong initial run with Henry Cavill as Geralt, recent seasons have suffered a noticeable dip in both critical consensus and audience response. There’s no denying that the recasting of Geralt, with Liam Hemsworth given the difficult task (a poisoned chalice, some might call it) of replacing Cavill. Again, spinoffs have garnered comparatively muted reception, and the final season, which was pushed out of its original 2026 release window, feels destined to come and go quietly. Particularly with the dreaded two-year wait that’s so fatal for Netflix releases. Even though it’s a reboot, Highlander benefits from the blank slate that neither established franchise currently enjoys. The original 1986 is a genuine cult gem, but you’ll meet as many people who decry it as terrible as those who love it. The idea was always great, and the lore incredibly interesting, but the sequels were a mess, and the TV arm started very well and similarly faded. Through it all, the strength of the idea endured, and there are enough entrenched fans who will see anything under the Highlander banner enthusiastically. Add in Cavill’s appeal, and it’s all genuinely exciting. Highlander's Mix Of John Wick & Witcher Should Make It A Success Credit: MovieStillsDB It’s actually quite reasonable to think of Highlander as existing at the crossroads created by John Wick and The Witcher and not just because of who is involved. John Wick provides Highlander with a proven blueprint for modern audiences, with the lore revolving around an isolated (and moody) hero operating within a secret society governed by strict, ancient rules. Obviously, there are also some pretty definitive differences, too, but the gathering of immortals, the neutral ground of holy soil, and the underground lineage of warriors are not a million miles away from the Continental's criminal underworld. Both are steeped in mythology, and both have major potential for storytelling and world-building. And then of course there’s the prospect of Cavill returning to high fantasy: he’s already swung a sword as Geralt, and operated in a world of magic, and there’s a compelling narrative framework that will allow for a similar historical focus, as well as the modern day setting. Nailing both sides of that formula could bring real magic to Highlander