Director Justin Lin Exits Summit's 'Highlander' Remake (Exclusive)

John M. Heller/Getty Images

Justin Lin is no longer directing Highlander, Summit’s remake of the 1986 movie.

The studio acquired the rights to remake the film in May 2008 and Lin became attached as the director in September 2009. This past spring, however, Lin’s career went into overdrive after the success of Fast Five, and his dance card began filling up with not only a sixth installment of the Universal franchise but also with such as projects as a potential new Terminator movie.

The new timetable didn’t sync up with Summit’s desire to move sooner rather than later on Highlander, and last week Lin opted to step aside. He will, however, be involved with the project as exec producer.

Summit is now moving immediately to find a new helmer. The project is a priority for the studio, which is looking to develop another fantasy tentpole series to replace its mega-blockbuster Twilight franchise, which will wind down in 2012. Art Marcum and Matt Holloway wrote the script. Neal H. Mortiz and Peter Davis are producing while RCR Media Group’s principles Rui Costa Reis and Eliad Josephson will serve as executive producers on the film. 

The original Highlander starred Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Clancy Brown as immortal beings battling humans, hunting down one another and collecting more power. Lambert played Scottish swordsman Connor MacLeod, Connery portrayed an Egyptian and Clancy was a barbarian known as the Kurgan. The film -- with its "There can be only one" catch phrase -- spawned four sequels and three television series.

Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com

Twitter: @Borys_Kit