There may only be one – but there is room for Russell Crowe. The Oscar-winning Gladiator star has officially joined the cast of Highlander, the long-awaited reboot from John Wick boss Chad Stahelski.
That means at least the battle scenes are going to work.
Crowe will play a key role alongside Henry Cavill, who was previously announced as the film’s sword-wielding immortal protagonist. The project has been in various stages of development for almost a decade, but with Stahelski confirmed as director and filming scheduled for the fall, Highlander is finally underway – with an expanded scope.
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More than a remake
In a previous conversation with Collider, Stahelski hinted that this Highlander film is not just a remake of the 1986 cult classic, but a broader evolution of the saga:
“We take the history from the highlands of the early 1500s to today’s New York and Hong Kong. There are great opportunities for action… And it’s a kind of love story – but not in the way you think.”
The original film, directed by Russell Mulcahy, starred Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, a centuries-old warrior locked in an eternal battle against other immortals. It became a cult favorite in the VHS era thanks to intense sword fights, a time travel storyline, and a Queen soundtrack that still strikes.
Who can Russell Crowe play?
While the role of Crowe has not been confirmed, the cast opens up several exciting possibilities. Given the mythology of the Highlander universe, here are three likely candidates:
- The Kurgan: The Villain from the 1986 film, played by Clancy Brown, is one of the most fearsome antagonists in cult film history. Crowe could have delivered a completely different – but equally threatening – version of the immortal psychopath who hunts for “the Prize”.
- Ramírez 2.0: Originally played by Sean Connery, Juan Sánchez-Villalobos was Ramírez MacLeod’s mentor. Crowe in this role would have been a perfect tribute to the original.
- A New Immortal: Stahelski has promised an expanded timeline and new locations, opening up original characters. Crowe could have played a rival or ally of Cavill’s MacLeod.
Depth & Sword Action
Regardless, Stahelski focuses on both character development and spectacular action. As he said to Collider:
“My selling point to [Henry] was: You have a guy who has lived for over 500 years. He is the last person in the world who would be in this situation. So you get a broad character development… And you get to see someone who has trained for 500 years with different martial arts.”
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Starring Cavill and Crowe, and Stahelski’s vision, this reboot promises to be an epic new chapter in the Highlander legend.
