Pajiba

Agreed.

Whenever a friend got dumped this was the movie we used for comedic torture. She'd show up at a party with her new beau, and we'd all turn to our friend and in unison channel our best Clancy Brown: She was your woman!
That's what happens when your best friends aren't just geeks, but Scottish geeks.

What's next? Which CLASSIC will get RAPED next?

Reign of Fire?

It makes sense to remake Highlander. It's a franchise that's got a strong, cult following. The bar to make a better movie isn't that high -- even if they're going to struggle to find a better Kurgan. And if the movie does not start with "Princes of the Universe" BY Queen (not some shitty Nickelback cover), then they'll find me ready to channel my inner Ramirez.

As for the original, they had a French actor as a Scot and a Scotsman as an Egyptian-born immortal pretending to be a Spaniard. I'm not saying you gotta stick with a bad Scottish actor because he's a Scot BUT at least find someone who we can buy as Scot.

Simon Pegg perhaps?

Don't say it Bslim! You know they're secretly spying on us to see which movie to remake. The more ridiculous the suggestion, the more likely you are to see it happen.

...The Godfather III?

Any mention of Van Peebles merits a reminder of the greatest t-shirt of all time:

"Guns don't kill people. Mario Van Peebles."

Screw it. Cast people regardless of their nationality and or gender, and just plug 'em in. Hey Dwayne Johnson, want to be the Kugen? Go for it! Eddie Izzard feel like the Spaniard? Here ya go! Wesley Snipes, want to be the love interest? Well, get out of prison, if you're in prison and you're good. Michelle Yeoh, want to be the Highlander? Sure. Rhona Mitra, come on down and get the role of that other chosen who dies to show us what a bad-ass the Kugen is. Cram a few random other chosen in there (Paul Hogen, C. Thomas Howell, Rhianna) and you're good to go.

I love Highlander. Wouldn't mind a remake - as long as it's good. However, that being said, I would boycott if Queen's music wasn't used extensively throughout the movie.

What about James McAvoy as Connor MacLeod.

>Michelle Yeoh, want to be the Highlander?

I think you're on to something, mrcreosote. Instead of making a shitty remake, why not reboot the series with a new story about a new character? That's essentially what the TV show did and it was far superior to the crappy sequels. An immortal Michelle Yeoh traveling the globe and ripping up shit with a sword for two hours would be awesome.

I can has Peter Wingfield?

There are two conditions to be met:

1. The title music has to stay.

2. Clancy Brown must be in it.

I'm down with Clive Owen, Jason Motherfucking Statham, and even Michelle Yeoh. But not James McAvoy. I know I'm going to get a lot of shit for this, but every time I look at him I see Mr. Tumnus and I cannot stomach the thought of Mr. Tumnus cutting some fucker's head off with a sword. Faun's don't decapitate people.

Ooo, Clive Owen, yes! He'd be perfect as Connor MacLeod. But, please NOT Christian Bale or Gerard Butler. I'm sick of Bale and getting sick of Butler. They both need to take a rest for awhile, IMO.

And can you ever really have enough Queen? I don't think so.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the fact that they could actually have an ending that, you know, works for a sequel. Considering the original Highlander was a stand alone movie (Hello, he fucking won) it will be interesting to see how they change this film to incorporate more. As for actors...you're going to have to find someone who ages really well. Both Adrian Paul and Christopher Lambert have pulled off that whole no aging thing. Can you think of a "star" that can pull that off? As well, who says you need a star...were there even any "stars" in the orignal Highlander other then Connery? Sure, some of them became better known later but the orignal cast was like the cast of Star Wars, a lot of unknowns and then one or two well known actors (who weren't even the main characters yes, I'm saying Guinness wasn't a main character in the orignal trilogy). My idea:
Connor: David Wenham
Kurgan: Tyler Mane (because really, the Kurgan doesn't have that much dialogue to begin with, and Mane is frigging huge and intimidating)
Ramirez: Oded Fehr
Brenda: ? insert some young starlett like Hollywood always does.

David Wenham is 44 years old. It doesn't matter which Highlander they pick for this movie (or movies, if they're gonna bleed this bitch dry). They can go with Connor or Duncan or yet another immortal from this clan which seemed to have an unusual medieval penchant for adoption. Whoever they choose, he really can't be older than 35 or he will most likely look geriatric in any sequels. Not that the nosedive of the X-Men series is really any creative mold to follow, but Hugh Jackman was only 31 in the first X-Men movie, which is why -- ridiculous as the later installments became -- at least he didn't look insanely stupid as someone who's not supposed to age.

Also, I think Tyler Mane is too cartoony for the Kurgan. Besides, he's not much younger than Clancy Brown (who was fantastic as the Kurgan) so again I say that I see no reason why Clancy Brown can't still play the Kurgan. The character's bald and half his face is obscured by dirt and makeup anyway.

Completely random inspiration of sorts ...

That video reminded me that Queen could really play, and Freddie Mercury was so out-front flaming you really need an asbestos suit to even watch the guy.

Note to the macho mullet-heads of my kid-hood (and elsewhere) - Freddie Mercury was gay. Gayer than rainbow-flag marching unicorn pandas doing jazz hands. Gayer than Ellen. Gayer than Top Gun. Gay. George Michael gets arrested in a park rest room gay. You are rocking out in your muscle car, "man"-handling your cowed GF, singing along with a guy gayer than Big Gay Al, and you don't know it, you homophobic, reactionary butt-heads.

So, go snap towels at each others in the locker room, you macho sports types, because that's not gay. Bond over beers in your "guy's night out." Call me a "fag" because I'm in the band. Mock the dweebish. Dudes, unlike your football team there are actual girls in the band (And majorettes, and the flag twirlers, and have you ever made out with a trumpet player? Think about it.) And the three actually out-ish gay guys are indeed in the band but only you seem to care. (And it ain't who you think.)

There's a delicious resonance as We Are the Champions plays at the end of Revenge of the Nerds. Don't dream it, be it. Yes, yes We Will Rock You is a rollicking anthem. Yet, do the stadium-thumping hordes have any idea what else it can mean? Have the the slightest idea what Frankie is desperately relaxing about? Music is ever subversive, so go get some Sugar for Nina Simone's Bowl.

God (and bog) bless Freddie Mercury, who went out and made the life he wanted, not the normal one that fit easily. Different from your Stepford lives, spent nervously cruising safely within the lines, with little episodes of sanctioned subversion. We're all twisted a little. Some of us learn it sooner than others. It makes me sad, but only a little sad, for the folks who are never forced to get their swerve on, and know that's what they need.

Which comes the whole way back 'round to Highlander which is an adventure, but mostly a story about living with the alienation of being different, with a secret that complicates your life. The hero who embraces his (and her, and their) uniqueness wins - that's the prize, ultimately, bashed into heads and minds for any who will see it.

Princes of the universe, indeed. Inner space.

That and Christopher Lambert totally rocks the pensive walking in a trench coat and white sneakers.

Damn straight! No deal without Freddie. I want the original music! No fucking lady GaGa cover will do. No Queen, well then, kiss my $ goodbye.

Soundtrack by Muse...