Henry Cavill has officially shared first-look images from Chad Stahelski’s long-awaited Highlander reboot on January 28, 2026, revealing him as Connor MacLeod, the immortal Scottish warrior. The two production stills showcase Cavill in period costume, wielding a sword in what appears to be sacred locations—a candlelit temple in one image and a dimly-lit church in another. Cavill captioned the reveal: “Happy First Look for Highlander! 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.”
Production is now underway in Scotland for Amazon MGM Studios, with the John Wick director bringing his signature action style to this legendary fantasy franchise. The film has no official release date yet, though 2027 appears likely.
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Production Timeline and Development
The Highlander reboot has experienced multiple production delays since its initial announcement five years ago. Stahelski originally aimed to begin filming in late 2024, later shifting to January 2025. Additional work on his Ballerina project caused further delays.
Most significantly, Cavill sustained an undisclosed leg injury during pre-production rehearsals, pushing the production start to 2026. The project also moved from Lionsgate to Amazon MGM Studios following budget disputes, with the tech giant approving Stahelski’s ambitious $165+ million budget.
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| Original Director | Chad Stahelski (John Wick franchise) |
| Original Studio | Lionsgate |
| Budget Request | $180 million |
| Lionsgate Cap | $165 million |
| Current Studio | Amazon MGM Studios |
| Original Shoot Start | Late 2024 |
| Revised Start | January 2025 |
| Actual Delay | Pre-production injury (Cavill leg injury) |
| Production Start | 2026 (Scotland) |
| Expected Release | 2027-2028 |
| Announcement | 5 years of development |
The Cast
Cavill’s ensemble features prestigious talent. Russell Crowe plays his mentor Ramírez, while Dave Bautista portrays the primary antagonist The Kurgan. Karen Gillan plays Heather MacLeod, with Jeremy Irons as the leader of The Watchers. Marisa Abela portrays an immortal swordmaster. Scottish actors Drew McIntyre and Kevin McKidd add authenticity to the Scottish setting.
| Role | Actor |
|---|---|
| Connor MacLeod | Henry Cavill |
| Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez | Russell Crowe |
| The Kurgan | Dave Bautista |
| Heather MacLeod | Karen Gillan |
| Angus MacLeod | Drew McIntyre |
| Sunda Kastigir | Djimon Hounsou |
| The Watchers Leader | Jeremy Irons |
| Immortal Swordmaster | Marisa Abela |
| Supporting Cast | Max Zhang, Siobhán Cullen, Nassim Lyes, Kevin McKidd, Jun Jong-seo |
The Story and Source Material
The reboot follows Connor MacLeod, a medieval Scottish Highlander who discovers he is an immortal warrior. With guidance from mentor Ramírez, MacLeod battles other immortals across centuries. The narrative expands on the 1986 original film, which itself spawned four critically-panned sequels and successful television adaptations.
The first-look images reveal the film’s atmospheric tone, with Cavill photographed in sacred religious locations. One image shows him wielding what appears to be a katana, a weapon favored by Adrian Paul’s MacLeod in the Highlander television series, suggesting the reboot draws inspiration from multiple franchise iterations.
Director’s Vision and John Wick Style
Chad Stahelski’s reputation for balletic action choreography and stylized sword fighting will define this Highlander iteration. The John Wick director transformed that franchise from a near-straight-to-DVD action flick into a billion-dollar phenomenon.
The first-look images suggest his signature visual style—dimly-lit, atmospheric settings reminiscent of the John Wick aesthetic—will characterize this reboot, potentially offering a fresh approach to the franchise.
FAQs
When was the Highlander first look revealed?
Henry Cavill shared the first-look images on January 28, 2026, via Instagram, revealing his character Connor MacLeod in period costume at sacred locations.
Who directs the Highlander reboot?
Chad Stahelski, director of the John Wick franchise, directs the Highlander reboot for Amazon MGM Studios under its United Artists banner.
Who plays opposite Henry Cavill in Highlander?
Russell Crowe plays Connor’s mentor Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, while Dave Bautista portrays the antagonist The Kurgan. The ensemble includes Karen Gillan, Jeremy Irons, and Djimon Hounsou.
When will Highlander release?
No official release date has been announced, though 2027 or 2028 appears likely based on ongoing production schedules.
Why was Highlander production delayed?
The project experienced multiple delays due to Stahelski’s work on Ballerina and Henry Cavill’s leg injury sustained during pre-production rehearsals in late 2025.
