After 40 Years, The Original Version of Highlander is Finally Getting an Official Release

More than four decades after the debut of the beloved fantasy action film Highlander, fans are finally getting the chance to experience the story as it was originally conceived. The cult classic introduced audiences to immortal warriors battling across centuries, a premise that has endured for generations of viewers.

Now, the earliest version of that story is being officially released for the first time via Penguin Random House. The original screenplay written by Gregory Widen, the script that eventually evolved into the 1986 film, will be adapted into a graphic novel titled Highlander: The Original Screenplay, giving fans a rare look at the franchise’s earliest ideas and unused concepts.

The Story That Started the Highlander Franchise

When Gregory Widen first wrote the screenplay that would become Highlander, he was still a film student at UCLA. His ambitious script centered on an immortal warrior named Connor MacLeod, who discovers he belongs to a hidden group of immortals locked in an endless battle.

The story unfolds across centuries as MacLeod encounters rivals determined to eliminate him and claim a mysterious reward known only as “The Prize.” The film adaptation became known for its blend of historical storytelling, intense sword fights, and a unique lore centered on immortality.

The original Highlander movie also featured memorable performances from Christopher Lambert as MacLeod, Sean Connery as his mentor Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, and Clancy Brown as the brutal villain The Kurgan. Over time, the film developed a passionate fan base and eventually expanded into a major multimedia franchise that is still beloved by many today.

A New Look at Highlander’s Original Vision

The upcoming graphic novel adaptation, published by Titan Comics and Penguin Random House, promises to present the story as it was originally imagined before the film went into production. Titled Highlander: The Original Screenplay, the project will allow readers to explore elements of the narrative that may have changed or disappeared during the transition from script to screen.

According to editor Jonathan Wilkins, the adaptation will highlight the expansive nature of Widen’s initial concept. The story spans multiple time periods, from violent clashes in the Scottish Highlands during the 16th century to the gritty streets of New York City in the 1980s.

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The release also arrives during a renewed surge of interest in the franchise. A new Highlander reboot film starring Henry Cavill is currently in development, directed by Chad Stahelski and backed by Amazon MGM Studios. With the franchise returning to the spotlight, the graphic novel offers longtime fans and newcomers alike a chance to see how the immortal saga first began.

Scheduled for release on November 17, 2026, for $29.99 USD, Highlander: The Original Screenplay represents a rare opportunity to revisit a classic story from a completely new perspective. For fans who have followed the Highlander franchise for decades, it may finally reveal the version of the tale that started it all, long before immortals battled on the big screen.

Created by

Gregory Widen

First TV Show

Highlander: The Series

Movie(s)

Highlander, Highlander II: The Quickening, Highlander III: The Sorcerer, Highlander: Endgame, Highlander: The Source, Highlander (Reboot)