A major star has joined Henry Cavill’s Highlander reboot, igniting excitement among fans of the franchise. The original movie, released in 1986, starred Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery in a battle between immortal warriors across time and space. Since then, the franchise has grown to include several sequels, spinoffs, and even a TV series. Recently, Amazon MGM and United Artists have teamed up for a fresh iteration, with John Wick‘s Chad Stahelski directing and Cavill taking the lead role.
According to Collider, the legendary Russell Crowe will star in a pivotal role opposite Cavill, setting the stage for a Man of Steel reunion. Crowe has reportedly been cast to portray Ramirez, MacLeod’s immortal mentorâ€â€a role that Sean Connery brought to life in the original film.
What This Means For Highlander
Russell Crowe Is Playing Henry Cavill’s Mentor
Ramirez, born in 898 BC in Egypt as Tak-Ne, plays a vital role in guiding MacLeod as he prepares for his epic battle against the Kurgan, portrayed by Clancy Brown in the original. Crowe’s casting signals the promise of shared screen time between him and Cavill, providing depth to their relationship. In a past interview with Collider, Stahelski mentioned “a broad spread of a character arc” for Cavill’s MacLeod, who has been trained for over 500 years.
Crowe’s role is poised to feature intense action. Known for his iconic performance as the titular gladiator in Ridley Scott’s 2000 Oscar-winning film, Crowe has built a career in various action-packed roles, including Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and 3:10 to Yuma. His upcoming projects include Nuremberg, where he stars alongside Rami Malek and Michael Shannon, and the Cold War thriller Billion Dollar Spy.
Our Take On Russell Crowe’s Casting
This Raises The Bar For The Kurgan’s Casting
The role of Ramirez is an exhilarating challenge for Crowe. With Stahelski’s background in stunts and martial arts, Crowe’s portrayal of Ramirez will likely include thrilling fight sequences and stunts. Among all the high-profile projects Crowe has taken on, this adaptation of Ramirez holds the most intrigue for fans.
Having previously played Jor-El, the father of Cavill’s Clark Kent in Man of Steel, the reunion between these two actors adds another layer of anticipation to the film. With the casting of Crowe, expectations are now high for the selection of the Kurgan’s character, whose role is still unannounced. However, with the production moving swiftly, more details are expected to emerge soon.
Source: Collider, Deadline