The upcoming Amazon MGM remake of cult classic ‘Highlander’ has found its big bad, as Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune) is in final negotiations to take on the role of the immortal barbarian, The Kurgan. He’ll be squaring off against Henry Cavill (The Witcher, Man of Steel), who plays Scottish warrior Connor MacLeod.
Directed by Chad Stahelski (John Wick), the action fantasy is set to begin filming at the end of September, with locations across the UK and Hong Kong. Joining Cavill and Bautista is Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Pope’s Exorcist) as Ramirez, the seasoned swordsman who mentors MacLeod, and Marisa Abela (Industry) in a leading role.
The original Highlander, released in 1986, starred Christopher Lambert as MacLeod and Sean Connery as Ramirez, battling other immortals across centuries for the ultimate prize, with the now-iconic line “there can be only one” becoming part of pop culture history. In the remake, Bautista’s Kurgen will once again be the ruthless warrior cutting down immortals to absorb their power, a role memorably played by Clancy Brown in the original film.
Interestingly, this isn’t Bautista’s first brush with the character. He was linked to the role back in 2015 when a different version of the remake was in development under director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan. Fans have also long fancast Bautista and Cavill as duelling immortals, with fan-made trailers popping up online over the years.
The script comes from Michael Finch (John Wick: Chapter 4), with production by Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, Neal H. Moritz, Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment, Josh Davis of Davis Panzer Productions, and Louise Rosner.
Bautista is becoming something of an Amazon regular, having starred in action comedies My Spy and My Spy: The Eternal City, with action comedy The Wrecking Crew (opposite Jason Momoa) in post-production, and talks ongoing for The Roadhouse 2.
‘Highlander’ does not yet have a premiere date but will be released theatrically by Amazon MGM.
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