The history of the Highlander reboot seems to have lasted as long as the immortals at its center. Directors, stars, and screenwriters have come and gone for well over a decade, each one another false start in the long, sword-swinging effort to bring this beloved cult classic back to theaters. The Highlander franchise began in 1986 with the film of the same name, starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery, and directed by Russell Mulcahy. The movie was a box office flop but went on to become a cult favorite, spawning three additional theatrical sequels and two live-action TV shows. Almost nothing about its mythology — immortal warriors, sword duels, decapitation — screams “easy reboot.” And yet, here we are.
As of mid-2026, the Highlander reboot is not just real, it is actively filming across Scotland, London, and Hong Kong. Henry Cavill leads a cast that also includes Russell Crowe, Dave Bautista, Siobhán Cullen, Marisa Abela, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Drew McIntyre, Max Zhang, and Jeremy Irons, with John Wick architect Chad Stahelski behind the camera. The first footage debuted at CinemaCon in April 2026 to an enthusiastic response. So what do we actually know about it? Let’s break it down.
Who Is Playing Connor MacLeod in the Highlander Reboot?
Henry Cavill plays Connor MacLeod, the immortal 16th-century Scottish warrior at the center of the story. Connor, born in 1518, is destined to fight fellow warriors across the centuries to claim a mysterious prize. Cavill was formally attached to the role in 2021 and has remained committed to it through years of delays, studio changes, and a production injury that pushed filming back by months.
It is, on paper, a natural fit. Cavill spent years wielding a blade as Geralt of Rivia on Netflix’s The Witcher, and he has long suggested this role will surpass anything audiences have seen from him before. At CinemaCon 2024, he told The Hollywood Reporter: “If you thought you’d seen me do sword work before, you haven’t seen anything yet.” CinemaCon attendees in 2026 learned just how much Cavill has committed to the role — he trained in swords, driving, motorcycles, and guns for the film.
When principal photography officially launched on January 28, 2026, Cavill shared first-look images on Instagram, writing: “Happy First Look for Highlander!” He appeared in costume, visibly in character, and unmistakably ready to deliver on the years of buildup.
Who Is Directing and Writing the Highlander Reboot?
Chad Stahelski has been attached to direct the Highlander Reboot since 2016, making this his first film outside the John Wick franchise. That Stahelski stuck with the project through more than a decade of development limbo is itself a testament to how much the material means to him. The John Wick series redefined what Hollywood action cinema could look like, and Stahelski has made no secret that he intends to bring that same disciplined, kinetic energy to the world of immortal warriors.
John Wick: Chapter 4 writer Michael Finch is also involved and has written the script for the current project. That is a pairing with real promise — Finch understands how to build mythology around near-invincible fighters, and the Highlander universe, with its centuries-spanning lore and multi-tiered cast of immortals, demands exactly that kind of structural thinking.
The studio has also confirmed development on John Wick 5, which has raised questions about how Stahelski will divide his time between the two projects. For now, Highlander appears to be his full focus, with production actively ongoing.
Who Else Is in the Cast?
The supporting cast transforms this from a star vehicle into a genuine ensemble event. Russell Crowe stars as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez — the warrior mentor first portrayed by Sean Connery — and Crowe has confirmed he will bring the signature Spanish accent to the character. Dave Bautista takes on the Kurgan, the brutal primary villain originally portrayed by Clancy Brown.
Karen Gillan plays Heather MacLeod, Djimon Hounsou plays Sunda Kastagir, Drew McIntyre plays Angus MacLeod, and Jeremy Irons takes on the role of the leader of the Watchers. Additional cast members include Marisa Abela, Max Zhang, Siobhán Cullen, Jeon Jong-seo, Nassim Lyes, and Kevin McKidd.
The Bautista casting in particular has generated excitement. Clancy Brown’s original Kurgan remains one of cinema’s great physical villains, and Bautista — enormous, menacing, and increasingly demonstrating real dramatic range — looks like a genuine threat to Cavill’s MacLeod on screen.
What Is the Highlander Reboot’s Plot?
The reboot is not a sequel or a continuation of the existing franchise timeline — it is a full reimagining, returning to the origin of Connor MacLeod and the world of immortal combat. The film is set in present-day New York and Hong Kong, with immortals racing toward the Gathering.
No full plot was laid out in early promotional material, but the tone promised epic mythology mixed with personal stakes. What Stahelski has articulated in interviews is a story about a man who has lived far too long against his will — a warrior who has spent five centuries mastering every martial art in existence not out of joy, but out of necessity for survival.
The CinemaCon footage offered the first real glimpse of how that world will look on screen. According to reports from attendees, the action sequences are brutal and recall the world of Stahelski’s John Wick films, notably featuring a fight in a neon-lit rave, as well as numerous sword duels and motorcycle chases.
What Did the First Footage Reveal?
Amazon MGM Studios revealed the first footage for Highlander at CinemaCon on April 16, 2026, during its United Artists presentation in Las Vegas. Cavill introduced the first footage via video message from the set: “We are only halfway through production but already feel we are creating something truly special.” The Hollywood Reporter
The footage itself was set to Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” creating an epic backdrop for the sword-wielding action, and was described by those in attendance as “John Wick with swords.” Cavill’s Connor opens with the declaration: “I am Connor MacLeod, who was born in 1518, and I am immortal.” Bautista’s Kurgan then warns him: “When my sword changes history, you will have a front-row seat, Highlander,” to which Cavill’s Connor fires back: “All right, if you say so.” The footage closes with a montage of characters each delivering the franchise’s iconic line: “There can be only one.”
Amazon MGM described the film as “epic in scope, visceral in action, and exactly the kind of bold, cinematic bet we believe in.” Exhibitor response was reportedly enthusiastic.
What Is the Highlander Reboot’s Release Date?
The film moved from Lionsgate to Amazon MGM Studios under the United Artists banner, with the latter more willing to commit to the film’s substantial budget. Production was delayed when Cavill sustained a leg injury during pre-production training in late 2025, pushing the original filming start date. Principal photography ultimately began on January 28, 2026, in Scotland, with production currently halfway through, with filming taking place in Scotland and Hong Kong.
Cavill confirmed at CinemaCon that production is roughly halfway through, which makes a 2027 theatrical release the most realistic target. Depending on the scope of post-production, a 2028 date is also possible.
For a franchise that has been chasing its own revival since 2008, even the prospect of a 2027 release date feels like a victory. The pieces are finally, genuinely in place — and if that CinemaCon footage is any indication, the wait may well be worth it.