Moviefone Editorial

Tag: russell-crowe

  • ‘Beast’ Exclusive Interview: Daniel MacPherson

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    Opening in theaters on April 10th is the new mixed martial arts drama ‘Beast’, which was written by Oscar winner Russell Crowe (‘Gladiator’) and David Frigerio (‘Land of Bad’), directed by Tyler Atkins (‘Bosch & Rockit‘), and stars Daniel MacPherson (‘Poker Face’), Kelly Gale (‘Plane’), Luke Hemsworth (‘Westworld’), and Crowe.

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    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Daniel MacPherson about his work on ‘Beast’, his first reaction to Russell Crowe’s screenplay, working with the Oscar winning actor, how his triathlon experience prepared him physically for the film, training for the MMA fight sequences, his character’s relationship with his wife, and creating that on screen with actress Kelly Gale.

    You can watch the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    Related Article: Russell Crowe Talks ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ and What to Expect from the Film

    Daniel MacPherson as “Patton James” in the action/drama, 'Beast', a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Daniel MacPherson as “Patton James” in the action/drama, ‘Beast’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to Russell Crowe and David Frigerio’s screenplay, and did you recognize immediately that this would be a great role for you to play?

    Daniel MacPherson: Absolutely I did. I was given the original script for ‘Beast’ by David Frigerio, I think maybe the day we wrapped ‘Land of Bad’. That was my second film with Russell, we did ‘Poker Face’, which he directed, and then ‘Land of Bad’. We filmed the final two weeks of that shoot together, and Dave was like, “You guys work well together. I’ve got this great fight movie, it’s a father and son dynamic. I think it’d be great. I think we could shoot it in Australia. You should read it”. So, I dived straight into that. I started training in 2022, but the movie was on, then it was off, the finances were in, then they were out, Russell was in, then Russell was out. But I never stopped training and I ended up, thankfully, training for three and a half years. By the time the film finally got going, I was in a stage in my life and a stage physically with the level of martial arts that I’d learnt during that time that I was able to attack a role like Patton. But initially, as soon as I read it, it was the family aspect. It was the husband-and-wife relationship. It was the role of the father, the husband, the protector, the provider, and a man fighting for his identity and his place in life and that resonated straight away.

    MF: Can you talk about how your triathlon experience prepared you for this movie and what it was like training for the MMA sequences?

    DM: Yeah, I had 20 something years of triathlon experience. I raced at a high level, a race world championship level, across every distance in triathlon, which I loved. So, when it came to martial arts, I had to start from the very beginning. I taught my hips to go in one direction, running and cycling for 25 years. With martial arts, they must go in all different directions, and I was in my early 40s and that’s a bit more difficult than people give you credit for. But I started at the very beginning, I started with an obsessive nature as I do with many things, and I separated the training. I went specifically to a boxing coach, specifically to a jujitsu coach and to a Muay Thai coach, and I learnt those separately, particularly trying to get technically proficient and understand each of the cultures. Then I put them together into MMA, learning that that was a completely different sport all its own, but I needed to know those other languages to be able to then speak the language of MMA. Then I was trying to put on 20 pounds of muscle, and I was trying to drop body fat. I was trying not to get injured. I was working with Tyler Atkins on ideas for the way the script was going to evolve, and the story was going to evolve, and the way the characters were going to grow. All the while you’re waiting for a green light to go and step into the biggest role of your career, opposite the great Russell Crowe. So, we never lost faith, but I also never stopped working. I worked extraordinarily hard on every aspect because you must when you’re acting opposite Russell Crowe, and you must fight opposite Bren Foster, who is a multiple world champion martial artist, an incredible ex-professional fighter, and a credible actor. He pushed me as hard in the fight sequences as Russell pushed me in the acting and dramatic sequences. So, I had that kind of level of intensity to rise to on every part of the film. But then I was also trying to learn all of that, particularly in the last six or eight weeks on no calories. So, it’s hard when you’re trying to learn really intricate, specific, intense, martial arts choreography and your brain is mush. So, it was a very precarious balance.

    (L to R) Russell Crowe as “Sammy” and Daniel MacPherson as “Patton James” in the action/drama, 'Beast', a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Russell Crowe as “Sammy” and Daniel MacPherson as “Patton James” in the action/drama, ‘Beast’, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.

    MF: Russell Crowe’s character is really the “Mickey to your Rocky”. Can you talk about creating that relationship with Crowe on screen and what he was like as an actor to work with?

    DM: Oh, it was incredible. Russell elevates every scene, every moment, and every set he walks on. I’ve worked with him now as a director and as a co-star, but the roles were a bit reversed on this where he was there going toe to toe with me but supporting me into the lead in ‘Beast’. He’s taught me about the art of cinema. He’s taught me about really being grounded in cinematic stillness in a scene. I had a great education on a film called ‘Poker Face’ that we did, where I was further down the call sheet, but I played Russell’s lawyer. One day after shooting around the poker table, when everyone else was off at lunch, I got to watch Russell’s close-up, and my close-up, which were filmed simultaneously, and I got to watch them side by side on the monitor. I got to watch what Russell Crowe, Oscar winner, does in a close-up, as opposed to what Daniel McPherson circa 2021 was doing in a close-up. That was one of the greatest cinematic lessons that I’ve ever had, and that was extraordinary. He’s been a great scene partner. He is a powerhouse. He’s got one of the most incredible imaginations. He comes on set armed with ideas, extensive preparation, and he can also see everything around you. He can elevate every set. He was incredibly generous to Tyler Atkins, who is a second time filmmaker, and they worked incredibly well together. I’m slightly ruined now. It’s like flying first class, it’s an incredible experience and it’s what you always want. I also now feel a responsibility to pay it down to those who come after me and those who are younger than me and give them their shot on the way up as well.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about how Patton’s relationship with his wife Luciana is threatened by his return to the ring and working with actress Kelly Gale?

    DM: She’s wonderful. Kelly came in and we worked hard. It was that relationship for me that was always the nucleus of the story. It was always what I loved about it, and it was always going to be the most important part for me. Kelly came in wholeheartedly, open, ready to work, ready to commit, and ready to jump on essentially a treadmill that was already running at a pace because we’d been shooting for weeks before she got there. So, that’s always a challenge to come in when the film’s up and running. She got better and better as it went on and her final sequence, in that final moment of the film, you’ve got three people on screen at the same time, and she absolutely holds her own against one of the greats of all time. So, I’m a massive fan of Kelly. She’s got a huge career ahead, and I’m just proud of the work that she put in and the emotional strength and complexity that she brought to the movie.

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    What is the plot of ‘Beast’?

    After years away from the cage, a once-feared MMA champion (Daniel MacPherson) is pulled back in for the fight of his life when his younger brother (Mojean Aria) is put in danger. Reuniting with the trainer (Russell Crowe) who once made him a legend, he commits to one final showdown against the reigning titleholder (Bren Foster), a brutal fighter determined to dismantle the ex-champ’s legacy in front of the world.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Beast’?

    • Daniel MacPherson as Patton James
    • Russell Crowe as Sammy
    • Luke Hemsworth as Gabriel Stone
    • Mojean Aria as Malon
    • Kelly Gale as Luciana
    • George Burgess as Neal
    • Bren Foster as Xavier Grau
    • Saphira Moran as Nadine James
    • Amy Shark as Rose
    'Beast' opens in theaters on April 10th.
    ‘Beast’ opens in theaters on April 10th.

    List of Daniel MacPherson Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Beast’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Daniel MacPherson Movies on Amazon

  • Henry Cavill Offers First Look at New ‘Highlander’

    Henry Cavill in 'Highlander'. Photo: Henry Cavill's Instagram Account.
    Henry Cavill in ‘Highlander’. Photo: Henry Cavill’s Instagram Account.

    Preview:

    • Henry Cavill has posted the first look at the new ‘Highlander’ movie.
    • He’s playing sword-swinging immortal McLeod.
    • Chad Stahelski has started directing the film.

    After a long development process, and plenty of casting news drops, the new take on 1986 action pic ‘Highlander’ is officially in production with Chad Stahelski directing and Henry Cavill starring as an immortal warrior who must battle others of his kind.

    Now Cavill has posted the first look at his character via his Instagram account.

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    Cavill’s caption includes the phrase, “this has been quite the journey for me, which I’ll tell you all about when the time is right,” which might be a reference to an injury he sustained while training, which pushed the schedule of the movie back.

    Related Article: Jeremy Irons Will be a Villain in Chad Stahelski’s ‘Highlander’ Movie

    What’s the story of ‘Highlander’?

    Henry Cavill in 'Highlander'. Photo: Henry Cavill's Instagram Account.
    Henry Cavill in ‘Highlander’. Photo: Henry Cavill’s Instagram Account.

    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.

    We don’t exactly know what elements the new movie (written by Michael Finch) will utilize, but Stahelski has said the focus will be on modern-day New York and Hong Kong.

    When will the new ‘Highlander’ be in cinemas?

    (L to R) Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986's 'Highlander.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Amazon MGM Studios has yet to announce a release date for the movie, but a 2027 date is not out of the question given that cameras are rolling.

    List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Highlander’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Highlander’ Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Predator: Badlands’ Has Franchise-Best Box Office Opening

    Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'Predator: Badlands' film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘Predator: Badlands’ film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Preview:

    • ‘Predator: Badlands’ has started in impressive fashion at the box office.
    • It has earned more than $80 million globally.
    • Other movies didn’t fare as well.

    Looks like audiences were more than ready to get back on the hunt.

    ‘Predator: Badlands,’ the newest movie featuring the titular alien creatures, soared to the top of the box office this past weekend, earning a healthy $40 million at the box office.

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    The movie, which was budgeted at $105 million (not counting advertising costs), is the most successful launch for the ‘Predator’ franchise, overtaking the previous record holder, 2004’s franchise crossover ‘Alien vs. Predator.’

    It’s the latest success in the series for co-writer/director Dan Trachtenberg, who previously made the likes of ‘Prey’ and the animated ‘Predator: Killer of Killers,’ both of which were well received but were released via Hulu.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Predator: Badlands’

    How did ‘Predator: Badlands’ do elsewhere?

    Thia (Elle Fanning) in 20th Century Studios' 'Predator: Badlands' film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    Thia (Elle Fanning) in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Predator: Badlands’ film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    The new ‘Predator’ outing was just as successful outside the States, earning another $40 million for an $80 million global opening. That’s a great start, and points to it reaching profitability.

    Here’s Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian on the movie’s success:

    “ ‘Predator: Badlands’ shows how unpredictable and dynamic the marketplace can be. All it takes is one over-performance to get the industry back on track. This is a great lead in for what promises to be one of the better months of November for the industry.”

    What else happened at the box office this weekend?

    (L to R) Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in 'Die My Love'. Photo: Kimberley French/Mubi.
    (L to R) Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in ‘Die My Love’. Photo: Kimberley French/Mubi.

    Unfortunately for the box office prospects, ‘Badlands’ was one of the few movies to make much of an impact this week, the rest of the new arrivals limited to less wide releases and awards contenders.

    Faith-based entry ‘Sarah’s Oil’ fared best, opening in fourth place with $4.5 million. ‘Nuremberg’, a drama about the historic post-World War II trials, did solid business, landing fifth with $4.1 million, though given its higher-profile and starry cast (Russell Crowe and Rami Malek among them) it likely hoped for more.

    Still, stars really couldn’t save Lynne Ramsay’s latest, psychodrama ‘Die My Love.’ Despite Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in the lead roles, the story of post-partum depression and dysfunction tanked with audiences, earning $2.8 million for eighth.

    And that’s still better than the Sydney Sweeney-starring boxing biopic ‘Christy’, which couldn’t even crack the top 10, stumbling to 11th with $1.3 million. It’s the latest flop opening for the actor and could well lead to chatter that her rising star status is under serious threat (at least for now).

    Sydney Sweeney in 'Christy'. Photo: Black Bear Pictures.
    Sydney Sweeney in ‘Christy’. Photo: Black Bear Pictures.

    List of Movies in the ‘Predator’ Franchise:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Predator: Badlands’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘Predator’ Movies on Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Nuremberg’

    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Opening in theaters November 7 is ‘Nuremberg,’ written for the screen and directed by James Vanderbilt and starring Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Rami Malek, John Slattery, Leo Woodall, Colin Hanks, Wrenn Schmidt, Mark O’Brien, Lydia Peckham, and Richard E. Grant.

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    Related Article: Russell Crowe Joins Henry Cavill in Chad Stahelski’s ‘Highlander’ Movie

    Initial Thoughts

    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    The Nuremberg trials were a major turning point in world history: they not only exposed the atrocities of the Nazi regime to the world on a large scale, but they laid down the foundations for what would become international law and the concept of crimes against humanity itself.

    The saga of how the trials came together – a mammoth effort that involved the cooperation of the four main Allied nations – and their complex ethical and moral implications (and failings) is certainly ripe material for filming, as 1961’s ‘Judgment at Nuremberg’ so ably proved. James Vanderbilt’s ‘Nuremberg’ has moments where it approaches greatness – and one spectacularly unsettling performance at its core from Russell Crowe – but the director-writer often focuses on the wrong subject or goes off on tangents that lessen the film’s power.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    As World War II ends, one of the chief architects of the Third Reich and its campaign of genocide against the Jews, Hermann Göring (Crowe), turns himself in to the Allied forces. A number of other Nazi officials are captured as well. While Supreme Court Associate Justice Robert H. Jackson (Shannon) prepares the groundwork for what will be an unprecedented international tribunal, psychiatrist Douglas Kelley is tasked with analyzing the mental state of the men who will stand trial – particularly the slippery, effortlessly charming Göring.

    At two and a half hours in length, ‘Nuremberg’ feels like its reaching for epic status. But it also feels like a truncated version of what might have been a longer limited series, with Vanderbilt cramming so many aspects of the story into his film that it’s hard for any of them to stand out. That makes his decision to focus on Kelley’s relationship with Göring even more puzzling (even though the film is based in part on a biography of Kelley).

    Despite Crowe’s excellent work as portraying Göring as a suave, sophisticated, and even witty sparring partner, the exchanges between him and Kelley never come to life, playing instead like an enervated version of Clarice-vs-Lecter from ‘The Silence of the Lambs.’ Göring plays with Kelley, gaining his friendship, but all their repartee in the end feels pointless. Kelley (whose own life came to a grim end in 1958, after his report on the Nazis he studied at Nuremberg was largely dismissed) also strikes up a relationship of sorts (platonic) with Göring’s wife, another unnecessary (and, frankly, rather queasy) side road that the film takes while the most compelling part of the narrative – Jackson’s buildup to the trial and the moment he almost lost it – is frequently left in the background.

    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Despite a number of absorbing moments and heroic work by Crowe, Shannon, John Slattery, and Leo Woodall (Malek’s Kelley, unfortunately, is simply a cipher), Vanderbilt tries to do too much. Scenes in which the other Nazi officers are interrogated or treated by Kelley and the German Jewish soldier Howie Triest (Woodall) barely make an impact because of the film’s ‘this-happened-and-then-happened’ structure. The most powerful moment, of course, is when film taken by Allied soldiers from inside the liberated Nazi concentration camps is unspooled during the trial – nothing can ever lessen the impact of that (and people should be reminded of it now more than ever).

    This is a beautifully mounted production – from the sets to the costumes to the insignia on both Nazi and Allied uniforms, this is finely detailed technical filmmaking that immediately brings one back to this period of history. But Vanderbilt – whose only other directorial effort was 2015’s ‘Truth’ – seems overwhelmed by the material, and handles it in a pedestrian way that dilutes its full impact.

    Cast and Performances

    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Russell Crowe’s career trajectory has been so strange in recent years, as he’s chomped the scenery and flaunted extreme accents in films ranging from ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ to ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ to ‘Kraven the Hunter,’ that watching his restrained, charismatic, and utterly chilling performance as Hermann Göring makes you remember just what a powerful actor he can be. His work here is the single best aspect of the movie and riveting throughout.

    Just as strong is national treasure Michael Shannon, who brings gravity, eloquence, and humanity to the deeply flawed Robert H. Jackson, and some of the best supporting work comes from dependable scene-stealers Richard E. Grant and John Slattery. As for Rami Malek – who seems to have a hard time finding the right roles lately – he’s good to some extent, but uneven in certain moments and not given enough to make the part of Kelley a truly distinctive character.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Richard E. Grant as Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson, Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Richard E. Grant as Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson, Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    ‘Nuremberg’ has the patina of a certain kind of film that would dominate both awards season and critical discussion had it come out perhaps 10 or 15 years earlier. It’s handsomely mounted and James Vanderbilt seems to want to give it the sweep of a true historical epic. Its haunting coda also reminds us that the horrors perpetrated by the Nazi regime remain relevant – perhaps increasingly so – today. But so much time is spent on peripheral matters that the story only comes into focus part of the time. But when it does, it’s powerful stuff.

    ‘Nuremberg’ receives a score of 65 out of 100.

    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    What is the plot of ‘Nuremberg’?

    The Allies, led by chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson (Michael Shannon), have the task of ensuring the Nazi regime answers for the horrors of the Holocaust — while a U.S. Army psychiatrist (Rami Malek) is locked in a dramatic psychological duel with former Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe).

    Who is in the cast of ‘Nuremberg’?

    • Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley
    • Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring
    • Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson
    • Richard E. Grant as David Maxwell Fyfe
    • Leo Woodall as Sgt. Howie Triest
    • John Slattery as Col. Burton C. Andrus
    • Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustave Gilbert
    • Wrenn Schmidt as Elsie Douglas
    • Lydia Peckham as Lila McQuaide
    • Mark O’Brien as John Amen
    • Lotte Verbeek as Emmy Göring
    'Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.
    ‘Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.

    List Of Russell Crowe Movies

    Buy Tickets: ‘Nuremberg’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Russell Crowe Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘Nuremberg’ Interview: Michael Shannon and John Slattery

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    Opening in theaters on November 7th is the new historical drama ‘Nuremberg‘, which was written and directed by James Vanderbilt (‘Truth’), and stars Oscar winners Rami Malek (‘Bohemian Rhapsody’) and Russell Crowe (‘Gladiator’), as well as Michael Shannon (‘The Shape of Water’), John Slattery (‘Spotlight’), Colin Hanks (‘Nobody 2’), and Richard E. Grant (‘Can You Forgive Me?’).

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    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Shannon and John Slattery about their work on ‘Nuremberg’, Slattery’s first reaction to the screenplay and collaborating with director James Vanderbilt on set, as well as Shannon’s approach to his character and working with Rami Malek.

    (L to R) Michael Shannon and John Slattery star in 'Nuremberg'.
    (L to R) Michael Shannon and John Slattery star in ‘Nuremberg’.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

    Related Article: Michael Shannon Talks Director Joshua Oppenheimer’s Musical ‘The End’

    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustave Gilbert, John Slattery as Col. Burton C. Andrus in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Rami Malek as Lt. Col. Douglas Kelley, Colin Hanks as Dr. Gustave Gilbert, John Slattery as Col. Burton C. Andrus in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    Moviefone: To begin with, John, can you talk about your first reaction to the screenplay and the importance of telling this story?

    John Slattery: My first reaction was I don’t think I’m the man to play this part. I thought, I don’t have it in me. I said to James, “If you want what’s on the page, then you probably should find someone else because how am I going to run that room and preside over that group?” He convinced me to do it my own way, or we’d figure out a way to do it. That’s coupled with, of course, wanting to be in it and wanting to be a part of such a great story. So, I was daunted by the challenge of it, but certainly wanted to be a part of it. I think Michael, Rami and Russell were already set. So, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that group?

    MF: Michael, can you talk about your approach to playing Robert H. Jackson, the pressure on him to win this trial and what’s at stake if he doesn’t?

    Michael Shannon: Well, I just did a lot of research. I didn’t know much about Robert Jackson, or hardly anything really, going into it, so I had a lot to learn. Obviously, you know, he kind of brings this all upon himself because the trials are his idea. A lot of people in the American government thought if we caught Nazis, we should just execute them, and he went out of his way to establish this tribunal and so he reaped what he sowed to that extent. But thank God he did it because it was a brilliant idea, and he was right. But he sacrificed a bit of his own professional trajectory to accomplish it. I wish what he had set in motion was as strong now as what he established back then.

    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson in ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    MF: Michael, can you also talk about Jackson’s working relationship with Douglas Kelly as it’s depicted in the film and creating that relationship on screen with Rami Malek?

    MS: Well, I’m so charmed by Rami all the time. I mean, he’s so alive. He’s so much fun to work with, even in in a story and situation like this. You know, in the book, ‘The Nazi and the Psychiatrist’, which the film is based on, you don’t really see too much interplay between Jackson and Kelly. It really focuses on his time with the Nazis in the prison, but I really love doing that scene in the stadium where I lay out to him why what we’re doing is so important. I’m glad it’s in the story and I loved shooting that with him because he was such an amazing listener to play off. Anytime you have a speech like that, you hope whoever you’re saying it to is listening to what you’re saying, and he was always. Yeah, I love him.

    MF: Finally, John, what was it like collaborating with writer and director James Vanderbilt on set and helping him to execute his vision for this project?

    JS: I mean, you couldn’t find a more enthusiastic leader who fortunately had written the script, so we had a resource and wealth of ideas. He was collaborative, excited, tireless and funny, and I couldn’t have had a better experience from the moment I met him till now. He was willing to try things. He was willing to adjust and to accommodate. This cast has very different energies between Russell, Rami, Michael, Richard Grant, Leo (Woodall) and me. There’s a lot of different methods of working and he accommodated all of them, at least speaking for myself. I couldn’t have had a more willing partner.

    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Leo Woodall and James Vanderbilt on the set of ‘Nuremberg’. Photo: Scott Garfield. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    What is the plot of ‘Nuremberg’?

    During the Nuremberg trials, chief psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) interviews Nazi military members to determine whether they are fit to stand trial. There, he enters a “battle of wits” against Adolf Hitler’s right-hand man, Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe).

    Who is in the cast of ‘Nuremberg’?

    'Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.
    ‘Nuremberg’ opens in theaters on November 7th.

    List of Michael Shannon Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Nuremberg’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Michael Shannon Movies On Amazon

     

  • Jeremy Irons Joins the ‘Highlander’ Reboot

    (Left) Jeremy Irons stars as Wallace Westwyld in director David Ayer's 'The Beekeeper,' an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo Credit: Daniel Smith. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved. (Right) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986's 'Highlander.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (Left) Jeremy Irons stars as Wallace Westwyld in director David Ayer’s ‘The Beekeeper,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo Credit: Daniel Smith. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved. (Right) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Preview:

    • Jeremy Irons is boarding the new ‘Highlander’.
    • Henry Cavill is starring alongside Russell Crowe.
    • Chad Stahelski is in the director’s chair.

    Though the cameras may not have started rolling last month as originally planned thanks to star Henry Cavill injuring himself during training, the ‘Highlander’ reboot is still moving forward, aiming to begin production early next year.

    And the latest piece of casting has been announced via The Hollywood Reporter, as Jeremy Irons –– who was an antagonist in ‘The Beekeeper’ and is set to reprise the role in the sequel and is on our screens as the troubled law professor father of Jennifer Aniston’s character in ‘The Morning Show’, has joined the movie to play a villain.

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    Irons joins a cast that also already includes Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, ‘Black Bag’s Marisa Abela and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’s Dave Bautista, who is aboard as a version of the villainous Kurgan

    When it does finally kick off, shooting is scheduled to take place in Scotland, England, and other locales such as Hong Kong.

    Related Article: Karen Gillan Joins the Ensemble of Chad Stahelski’s ‘Highlander’ Movie

    What was the story of ‘Highlander’?

    (L to R) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod and Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in 'Highlander'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod and Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in ‘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, 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.

    Stahelski on the story for the new movie

    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.
    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 the plot and changes:

    “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.”

    The script for the new movie has so far seen work from Ryan J. Condal, Michael Finch and Kerry Williamson.

    Finch’s script is the most recent draft, and it is taking some diversions from the original as it builds out a more complex and deeper world.

    Cavill is MacLeod, with Crowe as a version of Ramirez. Bautista is playing the Kurgan, the movie’s top villain, while Gillan is MacLeod’s Scottish and very mortal wife. Djimon Hounsou is an immortal warrior from Africa, while Abela is MacLeod’s modern romantic interest. Max Zhang and Drew McIntyre are also in the cast, with McIntyre taking the role of Cavill’s brother.

    Irons will be the movie’s other antagonist, the leader of a secret order called The Watchers, who are keeping an eye on the immortals and see them as a threat to humanity.

    When will the new ‘Highlander’ be on screens?

    Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm a release date for the movie, and it may yet appear later given the production delay.

    (L to R) Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986's 'Highlander.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (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:

    Buy ‘Highlander’ Movies On Amazon

    5ZDdgYrN

  • Karen Gillan Joins the ‘Highlander’ Reboot

    Karen Gillan in 'The Life of Chuck'. Photo: Neon.
    Karen Gillan in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.

    Preview:

    • Karen Gillan is boarding the new ‘Highlander’.
    • Henry Cavill is starring alongside Russell Crowe.
    • Chad Stahelski is in the director’s chair.

    Yet another actor is aboard ‘John Wick’ director Chad Stahelski’s reboot of 1980s action adventure ‘Highlander’.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Karen Gillan, probably best known for playing Nebula in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movies, will play Heather, the mortal wife –– and love of his life –– of Henry Cavill’s Connor MacLeod.

    m9x4x7kz2SNCvQWgRJeC72

    Gillan joins a cast that also already includes Russell Crowe, ‘Black Bag’s Marisa Abela and her ‘Guardians’ co-star Dave Bautista, who is aboard as a version of the villainous Kurgan

    Production is due to begin in September, with shooting to take place in Scotland, England, and other locales such as Hong Kong.

    Related Article: Karen Gillan Talks ‘Sleeping Dogs’ and Working with Russell Crowe

    What was the story of ‘Highlander’?

    (L to R) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod and Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in 'Highlander'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod and Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in ‘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, 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.

    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.
    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.”

    The script for the new movie has so far seen work from Ryan J. Condal, Michael Finch and Kerry Williamson.

    When will the new ‘Highlander’ be on screens?

    Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm a release date for the movie, but we can likely expect it in 2027, given that it starts shooting this year.

    Henry Cavill at The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: Scott Diussa.
    Henry Cavill at The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: Scott Diussa.

    List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Highlander’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Highlander’ Movies On Amazon

  • Dave Bautista Boards the ‘Highlander’ Reboot

    (Left) Dave Bautista stars in 'In the Lost Lands'. (Right) Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in 'Highlander'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (Left) Dave Bautista stars in ‘In the Lost Lands’. (Right) Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in ‘Highlander’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Preview:

    • Dave Bautista is making a deal to join the new ‘Highlander’.
    • Henry Cavill is starring alongside Russell Crowe.
    • ‘John Wick’ veteran Chad Stahelski will direct.

    Add one more to the ever-growing cast of Chad Stahelski’s ‘Highlander’ reboot, which stars Henry Cavill. According to Deadline, Dave Bautista –– who had been rumored previously –– is now officially making a deal to join the cast.

    m9x4x7kz2SNCvQWgRJeC72

    Bautista will be playing a version of the villainous Kurgan (more on him below, as played in the 1986 original by Clancy Brown).

    He joins a cast that also already includes Russell Crowe and ‘Black Bag’s Marisa Abela.

    Production is due to begin in September, with shooting to take place in Scotland, England, and other locales such as Hong Kong.

    Related Article: Marisa Abela Joins Henry Cavill in Chad Stahelski’s ‘Highlander’ Movie

    What was the story of ‘Highlander’?

    (L to R) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod and Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in 'Highlander'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod and Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in ‘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, 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.

    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.
    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.”

    The script for the new movie has so far seen work from Ryan J. Condal, Michael Finch and Kerry Williamson.

    Dave Bautista Also Joins ‘Road House 2’

    Deadline’s report also makes mention that Bautista will also be joining the cast of the sequel to Amazon MGM’s ‘Road House ’, for which we previously reported he was in talks.

    He’ll appear opposite Jake Gyllenhaal for the new movie, which has ‘Nobody’s Ilya Naishuller directing.

    (L to R) Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal stars in 'Roadhouse.' Photo: Laura Radford © Amazon Content Services LLC.
    (L to R) Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal stars in ‘Roadhouse.’ Photo: Laura Radford © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Highlander’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Highlander’ Movies On Amazon

    y7Vy2UQG

  • Marisa Abela Joins the ‘Highlander’ Reboot

    (Left) Marisa Abela on HBO's 'Industry.' Photograph by Nick Strasberg/HBO. (Right) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986's 'Highlander.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (Left) Marisa Abela on HBO’s ‘Industry.’ Photograph by Nick Strasberg/HBO. (Right) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Preview:

    • Marisa Abela is the latest recruit for the ‘Highlander’ reboot.
    • Henry Cavill is starring in the movie.
    • ‘John Wick’ veteran Chad Stahelski will direct.

    The cast is slowly coming together for ‘John Wick’ director Chad Stahelski’s planned re-imagining of 1980s cult action movie ‘Highlander’.

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    We recently learned that Russell Crowe will play a key role alongside Henry Cavill in the movie, and now The Hollywood Reporter has learned that ‘Industry’s Marisa Abela will also be part of the team.

    Production is due to begin in September, with shooting to take place in Scotland, England, and other locales such as Hong Kong.

    Related Article: Russell Crowe Joins Henry Cavill in Chad Stahelski’s ‘Highlander’ Movie

    What was the story of ‘Highlander’?

    Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986's 'Highlander.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    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.
    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.

    Finch’s script is the most recent draft, and via THR, it is taking some diversions from the original as it builds out a more complex and deeper world. According to sources, the feature seems to be populated by more immortals who also happen to be from various parts of the world.

    Who are the new recruits playing in the ‘Highlander’ re-imagining?

    (L to R) Aaron Taylor Johnson and Russell Crowe in Columbia Pictures and Marvel 'Kraven the Hunter'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Aaron Taylor Johnson and Russell Crowe in Columbia Pictures and Marvel ‘Kraven the Hunter’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    According to current reports, Crowe will be a take on the “Spaniard” Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez, as brought to life by Connery (with zero hint of a Spanish accent!)

    So Crowe could be showing up as a veteran immortal warrior who helps Cavill’s character achieve his destiny.

    As for Abela, she apparently has one of the other lead roles, a new characters for the story, an immortal who is a teacher of swordplay and one of MacLeod’s past loves.

    Where else have we seen Marisa Abela?

    (L to R) Michael Fassbender as George Woodhouse and Marisa Abela as Clarissa Dubose in director Steven Soderbergh's 'Black Bag', a Focus Features release. Credit: Claudette Barius/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Michael Fassbender as George Woodhouse and Marisa Abela as Clarissa Dubose in director Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Black Bag’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Claudette Barius/Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

    Abela got her big break in the aforementioned UK/HBO series ‘Industry’, about the lives and loves of workers in the British banking.

    She recently won a BAFTA TV award for her performance in the third season of the show that has gained acclaim in both the UK and the States.

    And she played singer Amy Winehouse in musical biopic ‘Back to Black’ and stole scenes from Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett in ‘Black Bag,’ Steven Soderbergh’s spy thriller that was released earlier this year to rave reviews (albeit less than stellar box office results).

    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, but ‘Highlander’ is apparently destined for theaters rather than direct to streaming.

    (L to R) Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986's 'Highlander.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (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:

    Buy ‘Highlander’ Movies On Amazon

    JIvYZ0Ce

  • Russell Crowe Joins the ‘Highlander’ Reboot

    (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.
    (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).

    m9x4x7kz2SNCvQWgRJeC72

    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.

    Related Article: Russell Crowe Talks ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ and What to Expect from the Film


    What was the story of ‘Highlander’?

    Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986's 'Highlander.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    (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:

    Buy ‘Highlander’ Movies On Amazon

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