(Left) Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s ‘The Witcher.’ Photo: Jay Maidment. (Right) Russell Crowe as “Roy Freeman” in the Action/Crime/Thriller film ‘Sleeping Dogs,’ a The Avenue release. Photo courtesy of The Avenue.
Preview:
- Russell Crowe is joining the ‘Highlander’ reboot.
- Henry Cavill is starring in the movie.
- ‘John Wick’ veteran Chad Stahelski is in the director’s chair.
It’s been a while since we’ve heard much of an update about director Chad Stahelski’s plan to reboot the ‘Highlander’ action franchise, and that’s partly because of the actors’ and writers’ strikes in 2023 and the fault of a certain other well-known action character, John Wick (of which Stahelski is the main director and franchise overseer).
An immortal Scottish swordsman faces off with other immortal warriors in order to obtain a coveted ability; Mortality. Read the Plot
Yet there is some forward movement now on the film that will star Henry Cavill as an immortal warrior facing off against his fellow fighters, as Collider brings word that Russell Crowe is now aboard the film in an unspecified role.
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What was the story of ‘Highlander’?
Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
The 1988 original revolves around Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), a Scottish Highlander born in the 16th Century who is somehow immortal. He has survived through the centuries, and learns from Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery), that he is part of a race of many who can only die when beheaded.
The power of the slain immortal is absorbed into the victor, and they are all competing for “The Prize” –– enough power to rule Earth forever. Connor’s biggest threat is the Kurgan (Clancy Brown), a murderous brute of an immortal who wants that power for himself and Connor must face him at an event known as The Gathering.
There can, as the tagline famously reads, only be one.
Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the first film is considered a cult classic, dividing audiences into those who love it and those who think it’s so bad it’s great. The movie is famous for its sword fights and its Queen-composed soundtrack.
It spawned several sequels (including the much-maligned ‘Highlander II: The Quickening’, which attempted to introduce the idea that the immortals are aliens), various spin-off TV series plus comics, video games and a host of other merchandise.
While Stahelski clearly loves the original, he’s not above pointing out its flaws:
“There’s not a lot that happens in the second act, It’s mostly about bitchin’ flashbacks with Sean Connery mugging the camera. You watch the movie, and it has no business being good or cool or interesting, but for whatever reason — the fisheye lenses, weird sword fights, f****d up dialogue, and the Queen soundtrack make it one of the funnest movies you’ll ever watch.”
Stahelski on his plans
Chad Stahelski attends ‘Wick Is Pain’ Screening At Beyond Fest at Aero Theatre on May 08, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
Here’s what Stahelski had to say about his ideas:
“ ‘Highlander,’ I’ll tell you, if we get our s**t together and pull off a feature, we have ideas for days about the coolest characters and how to make that an epic TV show. I just think that’s a rich, rich mythology. Our story engages a lot of the same characters and stuff like that. But we’ve also brought in elements of all the TV shows, and we’re trying to do a bit of a prequel, a setup to The Gathering, so we have room to grow the property.”
As for the story:
“We’re bringing it forward from the early 1500s in the Highlands to the beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong. There’s big opportunity for action… and it’s a bit of a love story — but not how you think.”
And how he pitched it to his leading man, per Collider:
“My selling point to [Henry] was, look, you’ve got a guy that’s been alive for over 500 years. He’s the last person in the world that wanted to be in this situation. So you get to cover quite a broad spread of a character arc… and you get to experience someone that’s trained over 500 years and sort of played [with many types of] martial arts.”
The script for the new movie has so far seen work from Ryan J. Condal, Michael Finch and Kerry Williamson.
Who could Russell Crowe play in the new ‘Highlander’?
Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
It’s anyone’s guess at this point as to how Crowe will fit into the story, but there are options.
He could, for example, be playing a version of the Kurgan, and we could see Crowe doing something fun and intense with the concept of an immortal psychopath who has, in the Brown version, gone on to be one of the most memorable screen baddies.
And then there is famed “Spaniard” Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez, as brought to life by Connery. Could Crowe be showing up as a veteran immortal warrior who helps Cavill’s character achieve his destiny?
Finally, given the changes that Stahelski is planning, he could be an all-new character. We’re still guessing he could unleash hell! Wait, no, wrong franchise…
When will the ‘Highlander’ reboot be on screens?
Despite Amazon MGM’s clear enthusiasm for the movie, it is not yet at a point where the company can set a release date.
Crowe’s attachment means this one is clearly gearing up, so stay tuned for more news. Who wants to live forever?
(L to R) Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Highlander’ Franchise:
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