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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
(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.
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.”
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.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Highlander’ Franchise:
(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.
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.”
(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.
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.”
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.
(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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Highlander’ Franchise:
(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).
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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.
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.”
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:
(Left) Chad Stahelski at the Lionsgate CinemaCon presentation in support of ‘John Wick: Chapter Four’ at the Colosseum Theatre in Caesar’s Palace on April 28th, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Eric Charbonneau. (Right) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
The idea of rebooting 1986’s ‘Highlander’ is not a new one. It has been bubbling away on Hollywood’s development burner for a few years now, going through the usual litany of directors, writers and potential cast on its difficult journey to screens.
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, “be only 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 and even a spin-off TV series.
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Stahelski on his plans
(L to R) Director Chad Stahelski and Bill Skarsgård as Marquis in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ Photo Credit: Murray Close.
Here’s what Stahelski had to say:
“‘Highlander,’ I’ll tell you, if we get our shit 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.”
Yet he adds that he’ll have to be careful:
“The trick is when you have the tagline ‘there can only be one,’ you can’t just kill everybody the first time.”
(L to R) Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod in 1986’s ‘Highlander.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
While he 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, fucked up dialogue, and the Queen soundtrack make it one of the funnest movies you’ll ever watch.”
There has been little progress of late on the movie, primarily because of the combined writers and actors’ strike. But once smarter decisions have been made by the studios and the matter is resolved, Stahelski and Cavill will be ready to dive back into that world.
Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s ‘The Witcher.’ Photo: Jay Maidment.
Other Movies and TV Specials Similar to ‘Highlander:’
25 years ago, iconic pulp hero The Shadow made the leap to the big screen. The result wasn’t the smash success fans and studios execs were hoping for, but the movie is still an important reminder that Batman wasn’t the first vigilante detective on the block. Celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary by learning more about the making of the odd and deeply underrated “The Shadow.”
1. Like 1989’s “Batman,” “The Shadow” went through a prolonged period of development before finally seeing the light of day. Producer Martin Bregman originally bought the film rights in 1982.
2.Sam Raimi lobbied to direct the adaptation but was rejected. Raimi instead went on to create the Shadow-inspired “Darkman” instead.
Universal Pictures
3. The version of the Shadow featured in the movie is intended to be an amalgamation of the classic radio and pulp magazine incarnations, drawing plot elements, lines of dialogue and powers from both.
4. Author James Luceno’s novelization delves even deeper into classic “The Shadow” mythology, including alluding to the fact that the hero’s true identity is Kent Allard, not Lamont Cranston.
Universal Pictures
5. Production on “The Shadow” was set back after an earthquake destroyed the Hall of Mirrors set, forcing director Russell Mulcahy to shoot an abridged version of the climactic sequence.
6. Co-stars Tim Curry and Ian McKellen had worked together before, starring in the stage version of “Amadeus.”
Universal Pictures
7.Chow Yun-fat was considered for the role of Shiwan Khan.
8. “The Shadow” was originally intended to serve as the start of a longer franchise and a major merchandising push. Those plans were abandoned due to its poor box office performance.
Universal Pictures
9. Among the various tie-in products canceled was a “The Shadow” video game for the Super Nintendo console. The game was actually completed before its last-minute cancellation, and playable ROM files have been circulating the Internet for years.
