Russell Crowe is enjoying his role in the upcoming Highlander reboot, where he is finally able to use a Spanish accent—a choice director Ridley Scott once denied him. The opportunity to bring this vocal style to his character emerged during recent production, marking a long-awaited creative moment for Crowe.
In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Crowe shared that his role as Ramirez in Highlander lets him explore the Spanish accent he was unable to use when playing Maximus in Gladiator, due to Scott’s firm opposition.
Recalling the Accent Debate from Gladiator
Crowe humorously reflected on the original 1986 Highlander film and Sean Connery’s portrayal of Ramirez. Although the character was Egyptian and Spanish, Connery famously spoke with a Scottish accent, which became a bewildering detail for fans.
The character’s name is Ramirez and Sean played the character brilliantly, obviously, as a Scotsman. But they explain the reason that Ramirez, the Spaniard, had a Scottish accent in the movie by saying that earlier he came from Egypt!
he told 60 Minutes Australia.
Connery was known for keeping his own accent regardless of his character’s background, whether portraying a Russian submarine captain, an Irish police officer, or a Moroccan rebel, his unmistakable Scottish voice always remained unchanged.
Crowe recalled requesting Ridley Scott during early Gladiator rehearsals if he could imitate
Antonio Banderas with slightly better elocution,
given Maximus’s Spanish roots. Scott refused, responding firmly,
There’s no f***ing way that you’re doing that.
The final decision was a compromise Crowe described as a
Royal Shakespeare Company two pints after lunch
accent, blending formal English with a casual tone instead of a genuine Spanish accent.
Director Chad Stahelski Supports Crowe’s Spanish Accent Choice
Crowe shared this background story with Highlander director Chad Stahelski, who welcomed the idea of a true Spanish accent for Ramirez. Stahelski encouraged Crowe to fully embrace it, allowing the actor to approach the character authentically.
’If you bring me Spanish, I will take Spanish.’ So I’m gonna do Ramirez as a Spaniard. We shall see,
said Crowe.
This creative freedom might finally settle the long-standing fan curiosity surrounding the mismatch between Ramirez’s nationality and his accent in the original film.
The Cast and Production Update on the Highlander Reboot
Crowe stars as Ramirez alongside Henry Cavill, who plays lead character Connor MacLeod. The reboot also features a strong ensemble including Dave Bautista as Kurgan, Karen Gillan, Marisa Abela, Jeremy Irons, Djimon Hounsou, Max Zhang, and WWE star Drew McIntyre.
Production is currently postponed until early 2026 to accommodate Cavill’s recovery from an ankle injury. The release date has yet to be announced.
Significance of Crowe’s Accent Role in Highlander
Crowe finally embodying a Spanish accent in the new Highlander reboot represents a meaningful artistic achievement after years of restrictive casting choices. This aspect adds fresh cultural authenticity to the character of Ramirez and may enhance the film’s overall reception among fans and critics alike.
With the delay in production, audiences will have to wait, but this casting decision promises a new dimension to a much-loved character in the Highlander saga.
