The problem is that if its a hit, there would be sequels. Hollywood cant leave well enugh alone.
Therefore, Im all for going back to the drawing board, and coming up with a concept that could start in the past, and lead up to the final battle. Highlander was the not the beginning of a franchise, it was the end, and all stories after that first film should have been leading up to that final battle.
Lord Of The Rings-esque?
Geez...for a minute I forgot we were talking about Highlander, and instead an actual respectable franchise.
There is a lot of truth in that. The reason a Highlander franchise has always failed is because as you said, the beginning of the franchise was also the end. Perhaps they can do something like this.
First movie - Set in Scotland it focuses on the early life of Connor, his battle which results in Kurgan stabbing him, his banishment from his clan, meeting and marrying Heather, meeting Rameriez, training under Rameriez, and it could ultimately end with the epic battle between Kurgan and Rameriez in which Kurgan kills Rameriez and rapes Heather. To fill the movie and add some action there could be flashbacks (like in the original movie) that shows Rameriez's backstory as well as Kurgan's and perhaps develops a rivalry between the two which would make their duel at the end more poignant (I believe some the supplemental material has already went down the road of developing a past between Kurgan and Rameriez).
Second movie - Opens with Heather's death of old age. From there it explores Connor's life leading up to The Gathering, spanning hundreds of years. The original Highlander implied that Connor knew several other Immortals, it could develop those relationships as well as have him trying to hunt down Kurgan for revenge. A good character arc for this wouldn't necessarily be a romance, but the father/daughter relationship between Connor and Rachel after he adopts her during WW2. It could be very poignant as he watches her grow old and ultimately die (since the third movie would be set in modern times, not the 80s, she'd either be very old or dead). HAving outlived his child, it would make the prize (mortality) be that much more effective.
Third movie - Would probably be the actual remake, it takes place in New York in the present for The Gathering. Leads up to and shows the final battle between Kurgan and Connor. Ends with Connor winning the prize of his mortality.
I think it could make a pretty awesome trilogy. As for the cast
Connor: Jeffrey Donovan - Donovan actually looks the part quite a bit and is great at doing accents. He may be getting a bit old for the role, but come on, 40 is the new 20.
Rameriez: Antonio Banderez - I always found it strange that an Eygptian who was believed to be Spanish was entirely pale and had a heavy Scottish accent. Banderez is a great actor, has darker skin complexion and can actually be believed as an adopted Spaniard.
Kurgan: Ron Perlman - Perlman has the physique to give off the threatening nature of Kurgan and is a pretty decent actor. Alternatively...give it to Lambert.
