RCR Media Group has sent out a press release announcing they're co-financing the Highlander reboot with Summit Entertainment and Neal Moritz Productions. For those unfamiliar with the premise, it's about immortal guys called Highlanders who cut off each other's heads until only one Highlander remains. Then he gets a special prize and a Queen song plays. The press release reports that Fast Five director Justin Lin is still attached, but keep in mind that his plate is filling up with other projects due to the success of Fast Five. Not only does Universal want to hit the gas on Fast and Furious 6, but Lin is also attached to Terminator 5. Does he want to make the first great Highlander movie (the original is campy fun, but not a great movie) or does he want to go to a film that's likelier to succeed like Fast 6 or T5?The press release also announces that Art Marcum and Matt Holloway (Iron Man) wrote the screenplay, but back in February we reported that Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg had been hired to rewrite the script that was originally penned by The Wibberleys (National Treasure) . Neither Rosenberg nor The Wibberleys are mentioned in the press release, which you can read after the jump.
Here's the press release:
RCR MEDIA GROUP TO JOIN
SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT’S HIGHLANDER
CANNES – May 16, 2011 – Summit Entertainment and RCR Media Group confirmed today that RCR will co-finance Summit’s re-imagination of the popular epic adventure HIGHLANDER which is being designed for a global audience.
HIGHLANDER will be directed by Justin Lin from a screenplay written by Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. Neal H. Mortiz and Peter Davis will produce the project. RCR Media Group’s principles Rui Costa Reis and Eliad Josephson will serve as executive producers on the film. Summit acquired the rights to remake the classic from Davis - Panzer Productions, Inc. in May of 2008.
In HIGHLANDER, after centuries of dueling to survive against others like him, Connor MacLeod, an immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his kind, a murderously brutal barbarian, who lusts for the Prize.
RCR Media Group’s Chairman Rui Costa Reis said: “HIGHLANDER is a property that is known around the world and Summit’s re-imagination is sure to appeal to both existing and new fans of the Highlander lore.â€
RCR CEO Eliad Josephson said: “We plan on this being the first of many projects we work on with Summit.â€
ABOUT RCR MEDIA GROUP
RCR Media Group is a private equity film financing and production company based in Beverly Hills. With a diversified film slate and long-term partnerships, the company is positioned to become a brand name in film financing. RCR Chairman Rui Costa Reis was born and raised in Angola, and splits his time between Angola, Europe and the United States. A self-made businessman, he is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Angola and closing the cultural circle between the United States and Angola.
RCR Media Group recently announced an extension of their deal with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) to finance a slate of motion picture films between 2010 and 2012. RCR has also executive produced a number of independent titles and the upcoming Jack & Diane.
ABOUT SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
Summit Entertainment, LLC is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC releases on average 10 to 12 films annually.