Karen Gillan in ‘The Life of Chuck’. Photo: Neon.
Preview:
- Karen Gillan is boarding the new ‘Highlander’.
- Henry Cavill is starring alongside Russell Crowe.
- Chad Stahelski is in the director’s chair.
Yet another actor is aboard ‘John Wick’ director Chad Stahelski’s reboot of 1980s action adventure ‘Highlander’.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Karen Gillan, probably best known for playing Nebula in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ movies, will play Heather, the mortal wife –– and love of his life –– of Henry Cavill’s Connor MacLeod.
Gillan joins a cast that also already includes Russell Crowe, ‘Black Bag’s Marisa Abela and her ‘Guardians’ co-star Dave Bautista, who is aboard as a version of the villainous Kurgan
Production is due to begin in September, with shooting to take place in Scotland, England, and other locales such as Hong Kong.
Related Article: Karen Gillan Talks ‘Sleeping Dogs’ and Working with Russell Crowe
What was the story of ‘Highlander’?
(L to R) Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod and Clancy Brown as The Kurgan in ‘Highlander’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
The 1988 original revolves around Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), a Scottish Highlander born in the 16th Century who is somehow immortal. He has survived through the centuries, and learns from Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery), that he is part of a race of many who can only die when beheaded.
The power of the slain immortal is absorbed into the victor, and they are all competing for “The Prize” –– enough power to rule Earth forever. Connor’s biggest threat is the Kurgan, a murderous brute of an immortal who wants that power for himself and Connor must face him at an event known as The Gathering.
There can, as the tagline famously reads, only be one.
Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the first film is considered a cult classic, dividing audiences into those who love it and those who think it’s so bad it’s great. The movie is famous for its sword fights and its Queen-composed soundtrack.
Stahelski on his plans
Chad Stahelski attends ‘Wick Is Pain’ Screening At Beyond Fest at Aero Theatre on May 08, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Lionsgate.
Here’s what Stahelski had to say about his ideas:
“ ‘Highlander,’ I’ll tell you, if we get our s**t together and pull off a feature, we have ideas for days about the coolest characters and how to make that an epic TV show. I just think that’s a rich, rich mythology. 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.”
As for the story:
“We’re bringing it forward from the early 1500s in the Highlands to the beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong. There’s big opportunity for action… and it’s a bit of a love story — but not how you think.”
The script for the new movie has so far seen work from Ryan J. Condal, Michael Finch and Kerry Williamson.
When will the new ‘Highlander’ be on screens?
Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm a release date for the movie, but we can likely expect it in 2027, given that it starts shooting this year.
Henry Cavill at The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: Scott Diussa.
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