The highly anticipated Henry Cavill Highlander remake is progressing with significant casting news as Dave Bautista, known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has been confirmed to portray the villain Kurgan. This represents a major development in the Amazon MGM Studios project, where Cavill takes on the lead role of Connor MacLeod, an immortal warrior locked in an age-old rivalry with Kurgan.
Bautista’s casting reunites him with a character he was previously linked to in an earlier Highlander iteration, dating back to 2015. He now stars alongside Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, and Marisa Abela in the new version directed by Chad Stahelski, famous for his work on the John Wick franchise. Crowe will portray Juan Sánchez-Villalobos RamÃrez, a mentor figure originally played by Sean Connery, while Abela takes on a newly created character exclusive to the remake. The project has been in development since 2008 and is poised to attract both longtime fans and new audiences.
Deadline reports that Bautista’s official involvement closes a chapter that began nearly a decade ago when he was first announced for the Kurgan role in Cedric Nicolas-Troyan’s proposed reboot. Bautista is also slated to star in Road House 2, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, with Ilya Naishuller directing, showing his continued momentum in major film productions.
Henry Cavill’s Focus Shifts from Voltron to Highlander
Henry Cavill’s dedication to reviving another element of 1980s pop culture is evident as he moves from one ambitious project to another. Earlier this year, Cavill wrapped filming for Amazon’s live-action adaptation of Voltron, a classic ’80s franchise involving giant robot warriors. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, Voltron features an ensemble cast, including Cavill, Sterling K. Brown, and Rita Ora. Although its release date is still pending, Voltron is expected to debut before the Highlander remake enters production.
Now, Cavill’s full attention is on portraying Connor MacLeod in Highlander, a role that fits his skill set given his extensive experience with physically demanding and sword-fighting roles, including his time as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher. The remake, under Stahelski’s direction, promises a stunt-heavy and action-driven narrative. Cavill has expressed strong enthusiasm for the project and his collaboration with the director, emphasizing how exciting and engaging the character is to play.
“Highlander! That is taking all of my focus. It’s a project that I’m extremely excited about. This character is going to be a lot of fun to play, and I’m loving working with Chad Stahelski. He is a very talented man.”
—Henry Cavill, Actor
Legacy and Expectations for the Highlander Revival
The Highlander remake carries the weight of its cult-classic predecessor from 1986, where Christopher Lambert originally brought Connor MacLeod to life, and Clancy Brown embodied the fearsome Kurgan. With a director like Chad Stahelski at the helm and a cast combining established stars such as Cavill, Bautista, and Crowe, the film is positioned to meet high expectations from fans familiar with the original mythos and newcomers alike.
Production appears poised to begin soon, with Cavill already deep into preparation for the fantasy adventure. Given the director’s reputation for elaborate and intense action choreography, the film is likely to showcase thrilling swordplay and visually captivating sequences. The combined star power and fresh creative direction suggest the remake could reinvigorate the Highlander franchise and introduce the immortal warrior’s story to a new generation.
As filming gears up, industry watchers and fans will be eager to see how this reinterpretation balances respect for the original with contemporary filmmaking techniques. The involvement of a diverse and passionate cast alongside a director known for action excellence indicates a confident effort to create a memorable and dynamic Highlander experience.
