Henry Cavill has shared an initial look at his role in the long-anticipated Highlander reboot, showcasing his character wielding a sword, which perfectly fits the franchise’s legacy. Posting on Instagram, the former Superman star revealed two striking photos of himself in character, set against backdrops resembling Hong Kong and New York. Cavill’s attire, especially his coat, evokes a Blade Runner-inspired vibe, matching the dark and moody atmosphere expected in the film.
This new portrayal brings to mind Cavill’s previous swordsmanship as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher, a role he recently left to pursue other opportunities, including the Superman reboot for the DC Universe, which eventually went to David Corenswet.
Alongside the images, Cavill expressed his excitement:
This has been quite the journey for me, which I’ll tell you all about when the time is right, but it’s a special moment to be able to share this. I hope you enjoy.
Henry Cavill, Actor
Production Delays and Setting Details
The mention of a “journey” may refer to the injury Cavill sustained while preparing for the film, which has pushed production toward early 2026. Directed by Chad Stahelski, known for his work on the John Wick franchise, the Highlander reboot is set in a future beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong. Cavill will portray a sword master who has survived for over 500 years, mastering various martial arts throughout his long life.
The Highlander franchise centers on an ancient battle among immortal warriors who are only vulnerable if beheaded. The original 1986 cult classic starred Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, mentored by Sean Connery’s character Ramírez. The story intricately alternates between the 16th century Scottish Highlands and modern-day locations, blending historical drama with contemporary action.
Chad Stahelski’s Vision for the Reboot
Stahelski described the storyline as a forward leap from the early 1500s in the Scottish Highlands to a futuristic New York and Hong Kong, emphasizing the scope for intense action and complex character development.
We’re bringing it forward from the early 1500s in the highlands to the beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong, and seeing how it goes. There’s big opportunity for action. There’s a chance to play a character that not a lot of people get to play. And it’s a bit of a love story, but not how you think. On John Wick, I learned a lot on how to bend the storytelling a little… another kind of myth.
Chad Stahelski, Director
Regarding Cavill’s character, Stahelski elaborated:
My selling point was, to [Henry Cavill], look, you’ve got a guy that’s been alive for over 500 years. He’s the last person in the world that wanted to be in this situation. So you get to cover quite a broad spread of a character arc there. And you get to experience someone that’s trained over 500 years and sort of played [with many types of] martial arts…
Chad Stahelski, Director
Cast and Character Introductions
The reboot was reported in September to include WWE star Drew McIntyre as Angus MacLeod, the brother to Cavill’s protagonist. McIntyre, who comes from Ayrshire, Scotland, joins an ensemble cast including Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Dave Bautista, Marisa Abela, and Max Zhang. This strong lineup combines veteran actors and athletes to bring authenticity and intensity to the film’s warrior battleground.
Expanding the Highlander Universe
Last year, Stahelski hinted that this reboot could serve as the foundation for a broader franchise. He pointed out the challenge of the franchise’s iconic tagline: “there can only be one,” explaining the need to avoid eliminating all characters immediately.
I think we have some very good elements now,
he said.
The trick is when you have the tagline ‘there can only be one,’ you can’t just kill everybody the first time.
Chad Stahelski, Director
Further expanding on the story, Stahelski noted:
Our story engages a lot of the same characters and stuff like that, but we’ve also brought in elements of all the TV shows, and we’re trying to do a bit of a prequel, a setup to The Gathering, so we have room to grow the property.
Chad Stahelski, Director
The Gathering, within the Highlander mythology, is a cataclysmic event where immortal warriors are summoned to engage in the Game, battling each other until only one remains.
Henry Cavill’s Personal Connection to Highlander
Cavill has expressed his admiration for the Highlander franchise since childhood. At the film’s 2021 announcement, he shared his enthusiasm:
I’ve been a fan of Highlander since I was a lad. From the movies in all of their 80s, Queen slathered glory to the TV show with an actor who looked remarkably like one of my brothers. Being not shy with swords, and having a director as talented as Chad Stahelski at the helm, this is an opportunity like no other.
Henry Cavill, Actor
In April 2024, Cavill highlighted his dedication to mastering sword combat even more than before, hinting at a level of skill that will surpass his work in The Witcher.
If you thought you’d seen me do swordwork before, you haven’t seen anything yet,
Cavill stated.
What to Expect and Future Prospects
The Highlander reboot, combining a gritty, futuristic aesthetic with rich mythological roots, aims to revitalize the story for new audiences while honoring the cult classics. With an acclaimed director experienced in choreographing complex action, and a cast led by Henry Cavill, the film is positioned as both an action-packed spectacle and a narrative with emotional depth.
Given the groundwork for expanding the story through prequels and sequels, this reboot could launch a renewed franchise, exploring the immortal warriors’ saga ahead of the dreaded Gathering. Fans of the original and new viewers alike can look forward to a fresh and intense experience when production resumes in 2026.
