Ryan Reynolds is being targeted to appear in Highlander.

The Safe House actor is reportedly the frontrunner to take on the lead role in the forthcoming reboot, and though no formal offers have yet been made, sources tell Variety that both the actor and studio Lionsgate-Summit are "very interested" in working together on the project. However, the insiders add that Ryan is also weighing up other offers and could instead pursue other projects.

Plot details for the movie are not yet known, but the original series - which began with a 1986 movie and had several sequels and a TV show - followed an immortal swordsman through the centuries as he battled other immortal warriors.

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo is to direct the movie with Neal Moritz and Peter Davis producing through Moritz's Original Film banner along with Enrique Lopez Lavigne and Belen Atienza.

Ryan's X-Men Origins: Wolverine character, Deadpool, is getting a spin-off movie, though it is not confirmed when work will begin on the project.