The long-discussed remake of Highlander has officially entered production, with actor Henry Cavill confirming his role as Connor MacLeod, the immortal Scottish warrior first brought to life in the 1986 cult classic. Cavill shared new production stills on Instagram last week, showing his character in a dark trench coat and armed with a sheathed sword.
The new Highlander is directed by John Wick filmmaker Chad Stahelski and features a large ensemble cast that includes Dave Bautista as the villainous Kurgan, Russell Crowe as MacLeod’s mentor Ramirez, Karen Gillan as Heather, Marisa Abela as Brenda, and Jeremy Irons as the head of a secret faction known as The Watchers. Lionsgate has not yet announced a release date, but studio insiders say shooting is now fully underway following months of delay.
Production was previously halted in 2025 after Cavill suffered a serious injury that sidelined him for much of the year. The setback pushed principal photography into 2026, but sources say the creative team remained committed to Stahelski’s vision. The film is reportedly keeping key story elements from the original while modernizing the mythology. A recently leaked synopsis describes Cavill’s character as “haunted by loss and drawn once again into the ancient Game,” setting the stage for a centuries-spanning battle for a mysterious power referred to as “The Prize.”
“When Kurgan returns, backed by a shadow group chasing the secret of eternal life, Connor must fight again,” the synopsis reads. It also hints that Ramirez and a new mortal ally help guide MacLeod as he confronts both his violent past and his role in humanity’s fate.
In an interview last November, co-star Dave Bautista praised Cavill’s preparation for the physically demanding role. “Henry is easily one of the hardest-working actors I’ve ever trained with,” Bautista said. “He works like a professional athlete. I’ve been through fight camps, and I know what real training looks like. Watching him push through that grind every day was impressive.”
Analysts expect Stahelski’s team to bring the same intense action style that made John Wick a global hit, suggesting Highlander could become one of the most anticipated action-fantasy releases of the next year. With production now rolling and audience interest climbing, momentum around the reboot appears to be building fast. Industry watchers say the return of this long-dormant franchise could signal a broader revival of classic 1980s mythology on the big screen.
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Todd Fisher
Todd lives in Northern California with "the wife," "the kids," "the dogs," "that cat," and he occasionally wears pants. His upcoming release, "Are You Woke Enough Yet?", is the culmination of too much time on social media and working in the film industry.
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