'Highlander' Reboot Gains Momentum as Russell Crowe Joins Cast — There Can Be Only One (Again)
Cavill, Crowe, swords, and immortality — what could go wrong?
After years of speculation and delays, Chad Stahelski’s Highlander reboot is finally taking shape — and gaining serious star power. With Henry Cavill already set to lead the cast, it’s now been confirmed that Russell Crowe will join the project, playing Cavill’s mentor. According to Collider, Crowe will take on a role inspired by Sean Connery’s from the 1986 original — a film beloved by many, despite spawning some of the most infamous sequels in cult cinema history.
Stahelski, best known for turning John Wick into a stylised, billion-dollar franchise, is stepping outside that universe for the first time. And he’s doing it in bold fashion: blending sci-fi, swordplay, and centuries-spanning romance into a fresh take on the immortal warriors saga. He’s promised a visual style that favours "balletic" sword fighting and a tone that leans harder into mythology than previous versions. As he put it himself: "I love working with immortality and love stories through time… It’s a good way to mix period piece and sci-fi."
The reboot hasn’t had the smoothest journey. Stahelski had hoped for a $180 million budget, but Lionsgate reportedly capped it at $165 million — until Amazon, never shy about a splashy acquisition, stepped in. With production now scheduled to begin in September and a release tentatively set for late 2026, the pieces are finally falling into place.
Will Highlander strike lightning again? Between Stahelski’s action pedigree, Crowe’s gravitas, and Cavill’s sword-wielding credentials, the ingredients are there. Whether they can recapture the strange magic of the original — or forge something entirely new — remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: there can be only one… again.
