13-Year-Old’s Fantasy Movie Rated 1.3/5: One of the 90s’ Biggest Flops!

Sometimes, a highly anticipated sequel to a cult classic ends up being a disaster. That’s exactly what happened with Highlander II, a film released in 1991 that made an impression—but for all the wrong reasons. With a rushed script, backstage tensions, and a chaotic production, this sequel was so disappointing that even its director tried unsuccessfully to remove his name from the project.

A Disastrous Beginning

Even before its release, Highlander II was already doomed to fail. The script underwent numerous rewrites, leaving both the creative team and the actors bewildered. Michael Ironside, who played the villain “General Katana,” didn’t mince words years later.

“I hated that script. We all did. Sean, Chris, and I only did it for the money. It reads like it was written by a 13-year-old boy. But I had never played a barbarian warrior before, and it was one of my first major villain roles. I figured if I had to be in this stupid film, I might as well have fun and go over the top.“

He admitted, however, that he approached his role with a sense of detachment, almost as a joke: “All those eye rolls, grunts, and winks at the camera, that was me deciding that if I was going to be in a crap film, I was going to be the damn most memorable thing about it, and I think I succeeded.“

Chaotic Behind the Scenes

The filming, mainly done in Argentina, was plagued by severe financial issues. So much so that the film’s insurance company eventually took control of the project, sidelining director Russell Mulcahy from any artistic decisions. Christopher Lambert saw part of his salary disappear into bad investments, while Sean Connery was content to make a brief appearance just long enough to collect his paycheck.

In response to losing control, Mulcahy even tried to have his name removed from the credits, a request that was denied as he was not affiliated with the Directors Guild of America—a bureaucratic detail that prevented him from reclaiming his work.

Nightmarish Test Screening and a Late Attempt at Redemption

The first screening of the film was the final blow. From the first few minutes, the audience was hesitant, and Mulcahy left the theater after just fifteen minutes, clearly unable to watch the disaster unfold. Christopher Lambert also considered leaving before the end.

Years later, Russell Mulcahy was able to revisit the project to offer a revised version: Highlander II – The Renegade Version. This “Director’s Cut” included new scenes, rethought editing, and re-recorded dubbing. Although it was better received than the original, it was not enough to erase the memory of the initial disaster.

Often cited as one of the worst examples of a failed sequel in cinema history, Highlander II remains a case study in a film betrayed by compromises, economic constraints, and chaotic development. A harsh reminder that some works are destined to be forgotten.

To form (or reform) your own opinion on Highlander II, you’ll need to look to its DVD editions.