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Henry Cavill Confirms Involvement In Long-Awaited Reboot
Henry Cavill's enthusiasm for the Highlander reboot is contagious, promising an exciting return to this legendary story.
After years of stagnation, the reboot of Highlander finally seems to be taking off, with none other than Henry Cavill confirming he will play the lead role. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the former Man of Steel actor stated that all his focus this summer is on Highlander, directed by John Wick creator Chad Stahelski.
"Highlander! That is where all my energy is going. It's a project I am incredibly excited about," Cavill said. "This character is going to be fantastic to play, and working with Chad Stahelski is a joy. He is an incredibly talented man."
Fans had already suspected that Cavill's new rugged look was linked to the role of the immortal warrior, and now it’s official. The project has been stuck in 'development hell' for years, with earlier attempts including a version with Ryan Reynolds, but now the reboot finally seems to be happening. Filming is set to begin later this year.
In addition to Cavill, Russell Crowe is expected to join the film, presumably in the role of mentor Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, a role once played by Sean Connery. Crowe and Cavill previously shared the screen in Man of Steel, where Crowe played Cavill's father Jor-El.
The reboot of Highlander promises not only spectacular action but also aims to place more emphasis on the emotional and historical weight of the character. "You are playing someone who has seen everything and everyone around them disappear over the centuries," Stahelski said. "That gives the story a tragic undertone that you rarely see in action films." Thus, Cavill will not only wield his sword but also flex his acting muscles.
Additionally, the creators want to expand the universe with more world-building, a coherent mythology, and a visual style that looks modern yet retains the gothic atmosphere of the original.
The original Highlander from 1986 grew to become a cult favorite, featuring Christopher Lambert and Clancy Brown in leading roles. Although the film spawned multiple sequels, spin-offs, and even an animated series, none of the follow-ups matched the level of the original.
Stahelski is determined to change that. "My pitch to Henry was simple: you are playing someone who has lived for over 500 years. That offers a huge breadth of character development... and he masters dozens of fighting styles." With Cavill at the forefront and Stahelski at the helm, this reboot finally seems to be receiving the power and flair that fans have awaited for years.
"Highlander! That is where all my energy is going. It's a project I am incredibly excited about," Cavill said. "This character is going to be fantastic to play, and working with Chad Stahelski is a joy. He is an incredibly talented man."
Russell Crowe Also On Board
Fans had already suspected that Cavill's new rugged look was linked to the role of the immortal warrior, and now it’s official. The project has been stuck in 'development hell' for years, with earlier attempts including a version with Ryan Reynolds, but now the reboot finally seems to be happening. Filming is set to begin later this year.
In addition to Cavill, Russell Crowe is expected to join the film, presumably in the role of mentor Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, a role once played by Sean Connery. Crowe and Cavill previously shared the screen in Man of Steel, where Crowe played Cavill's father Jor-El.
A New Life For A Legendary Story
The reboot of Highlander promises not only spectacular action but also aims to place more emphasis on the emotional and historical weight of the character. "You are playing someone who has seen everything and everyone around them disappear over the centuries," Stahelski said. "That gives the story a tragic undertone that you rarely see in action films." Thus, Cavill will not only wield his sword but also flex his acting muscles.
Additionally, the creators want to expand the universe with more world-building, a coherent mythology, and a visual style that looks modern yet retains the gothic atmosphere of the original.
New Energy For A Cult Classic
The original Highlander from 1986 grew to become a cult favorite, featuring Christopher Lambert and Clancy Brown in leading roles. Although the film spawned multiple sequels, spin-offs, and even an animated series, none of the follow-ups matched the level of the original.
Stahelski is determined to change that. "My pitch to Henry was simple: you are playing someone who has lived for over 500 years. That offers a huge breadth of character development... and he masters dozens of fighting styles." With Cavill at the forefront and Stahelski at the helm, this reboot finally seems to be receiving the power and flair that fans have awaited for years.
