Henry Cavill has unveiled the first look at ‘Highlander’, a new reimagining of the cult fantasy franchise directed by John Wick filmmaker Chad Stahelski, during Amazon MGM’s CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas.
The film marks Cavill’s return to high fantasy following ‘The Witcher’, with the actor playing immortal blacksmith Connor MacLeod. He introduced the footage via a pre-recorded message filmed on set.
Stahelski, known for directing the John Wick series, takes the helm on the project, which also features Russell Crowe, Dave Bautista, Marisa Abela, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou and Jeremy Irons. Several of the cast appeared in the CinemaCon presentation.
The preview included early clips and behind-the-scenes material, with Cavill’s character declaring: “I am Connor MacLeod. I was born in 1518. And I am immortal.”
The story follows centuries-old immortal warriors competing in “the Gathering”, where they battle until only one remains. Bautista’s character, Kurgan, is described as a ruthless figure who kills other immortals to survive.
Stahelski confirmed the film will also feature music from Queen, echoing the original 1986 Highlander.
The footage showcased a sleek, action-heavy style reminiscent of John Wick, with fight sequences, nightclubs and high-intensity visuals. Cavill also noted that filming is still ongoing, with production set to continue in locations including the Scottish Highlands, Hong Kong and Poland.
The original Highlander, released in 1986 and starring Christopher Lambert, followed immortal warriors who could only be killed by beheading. Although its sequels struggled at the box office, the franchise has built a lasting cult following through films and television spin-offs.
