Jeremy Irons has been added to the cast of the Highlander reboot directed by Chad Stahelski, which stars Henry Cavill. Irons will portray the leader of The Watchers, a secret society monitoring immortals who see these beings as a threat to humanity.
This secret order, known as The Watchers, was first introduced in the Adrian Paul television series, signaling that Stahelski is drawing inspiration from the original show. In that series, The Watchers are mortals who observe immortal warriors without interfering, though some rogue members see immortals as dangerous and oppose them. This element adds complexity to the story and raises questions about the direction the reboot will take with the concept.
Connections to the DC Extended Universe
Jeremy Irons is recognizable to genre audiences for his portrayal of Alfred Pennyworth in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. His involvement in Highlander creates a notable link to the DC Extended Universe, where Henry Cavill famously played Superman. Also appearing in the film is Russell Crowe as Ramirez, making him the second major DCEU actor in the cast.
Expanding Ensemble of Immortals and Adversaries
The Highlander reboot’s cast now includes Henry Cavill as Connor MacLeod, Russell Crowe as Ramirez, and Dave Bautista in the role of the villainous Kurgan. Karen Gillan is set to appear as Heather, while Marisa Abela will take on a new lead character who is also an immortal. Other cast members include Djimon Hounsou, Max Zhang, and WWE wrestler Drew McIntyre, who will play Angus MacLeod, Connor’s brother.
The Enduring Impact of the Highlander Franchise
The original 1986 Highlander film focused on the battle among immortal warriors, featuring Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod and Sean Connery as Ramirez, facing off against Clancy Brown’s Kurgan. The movie gained a cult following, spawning sequels and the Adrian Paul-led TV series that expanded the lore, including the introduction of The Watchers. The reboot, backed by Amazon MGM’s United Artists and helmed by Stahelski, is expected to be a major new entry in this fantasy saga.
While no official release date has been announced, production is temporarily delayed after Henry Cavill sustained an injury during training. Filming is anticipated to resume early next year.
“Jeremy Irons will play the film’s other antagonist (along with Dave Bautista as Kurgan) — the leader of a secret order known as The Watchers.” ?Trade report
“Irons is no stranger to genre fans, having previously starred as Alfred Pennyworth in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.” ?Article content
“The ensemble now includes Henry Cavill as Connor MacLeod, Crowe as Ramirez, Dave Bautista as the villainous Kurgan.” ?Article content
