Okay, the Highlander remake is officially out of control now.
Amazon MGM just added FOUR more actors to what’s already the most stacked cast I’ve seen in ages. Siobhán Cullen, Jun Jong-seo, Nassim Lyes, and Kevin McKidd are all joining the immortal party, and at this point I’m wondering if there’s anyone left in Hollywood who isn’t in this movie.
Like, we already had Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Jeremy Irons, Djimon Hounsou, Marisa Abela, Max Zhang, and Drew McIntyre. That’s not a cast—that’s a small country. The craft services table must be the size of a football field.
For those who somehow missed it, this is Chad Stahelski’s big-budget remake of the 1986 cult classic about immortal warriors chopping each other’s heads off across centuries. You know, the one with the killer Queen soundtrack and “THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE” energy that’s been living rent-free in genre fans’ heads for decades.
The production was supposed to kick off last fall but got pushed after Cavill injured himself during pre-production. (No details on what happened, but I’m imagining some sword training gone wrong—the man commits to his roles.) Filming is now set to begin in early 2026, which feels like forever from now but whatever.
So who are these new additions playing? Let’s break it down:
Siobhán Cullen (who killed it in Netflix’s “Bodkin” and Hulu’s “Obituary”) is playing a police psychiatrist who discovers immortals exist and wants to help MacLeod. Classic “normal person stumbles into supernatural world” role, but Cullen’s got the chops to make it interesting.
Jun Jong-seo is joining as part of the Watcher sect—that’s the secret organization led by Jeremy Irons’ character who monitors immortals and sees them as threats to humanity. Jong-seo broke out in “Burning” (first South Korean film to make the Academy Awards shortlist!) and recently headlined “Project Y” at TIFF.
Nassim Lyes is playing an immortal who’s hunting MacLeod, which sounds like a secondary villain role. Dude was in “Under Paris,” that creature feature that blew up on Netflix last year, and he’s a former national kick-boxing champion in France. So the sword fights should be legit.
And then there’s Kevin McKidd—aka Dr. Owen Hunt from “Grey’s Anatomy” for the last 370+ episodes. No word on who he’s playing yet, but the Scottish actor feels right at home in this universe. Wouldn’t be shocked if he’s another immortal Highlander.
The whole thing is giving me major “Dune” vibes in terms of just stacking talent on talent. Stahelski clearly convinced Amazon to back up the money truck, and after what he did with the “John Wick” franchise, I can’t blame them.
For those who need a refresher on the plot: Cavill is playing Connor MacLeod, a Medieval Scottish Highlander who discovers he’s immortal. Crowe is taking on the Ramirez role (originally played by Sean Connery), the mentor who teaches MacLeod about his immortality and how to fight. Bautista is the big bad—The Kurgan—while Gillan plays MacLeod’s mortal Scottish wife. Hounsou is an immortal warrior from Africa, and Abela is MacLeod’s modern love interest.
The script comes from Michael Finch, and the whole thing is being produced under Amazon MGM’s United Artists banner with Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, Neal H. Moritz, Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment, Josh Davis, and Louise Rosner all involved.
What’s wild to me is how this project has been in development hell for YEARS. I remember when Ryan Reynolds was attached. Then it was Tom Hardy. Then nothing for a while. Now suddenly it’s got the most stacked cast of any action movie in recent memory.
The 1962 original spawned a whole franchise—multiple sequels, a TV series, animated shows, comics, the works. But none of them ever captured the magic of the first film. This remake has the potential to either reinvent the franchise for a new generation or become another expensive misfire.
But with Stahelski behind the camera? The man who turned Keanu Reeves into an action icon (again) with the “John Wick” series? I’m cautiously optimistic. His action sequences are next level, and if anyone can make immortals sword-fighting across centuries look cool in 2026, it’s him.
Why This ‘Highlander’ Remake Might Actually Work
The Stahelski Factor
Chad Stahelski revolutionized action filmmaking with the John Wick franchise, bringing a ballet-like precision to fight choreography that feels perfect for immortal sword battles.
The Cast Chemistry Potential
With actors from blockbusters, prestige TV, and international cinema all mixing together, this ensemble could create something special if the script gives them room to play off each other.
The Timing Is Right
After years of gritty reboots, audiences seem ready for the kind of mythic, high-concept fantasy that Highlander represents—especially with a modern visual approach.
The Source Material’s Untapped Potential
The original Highlander had amazing ideas but limited budget and technology. With today’s resources and Stahelski’s vision, the concept could finally reach its full potential.
The International Appeal
This cast represents talent from Scotland, Ireland, Korea, France, America and beyond—matching the global, centuries-spanning nature of the Highlander concept itself.
FAQ
Is this Highlander remake going to be faithful to the original?
From what we know, it’s keeping the core concept—immortals battling across time until “there can be only one”—but with a fresh approach. Stahelski’s involvement suggests we’ll get more sophisticated action sequences than the 80s original, while the casting of Cavill as MacLeod and Crowe in the Ramirez role shows they’re honoring the basic character dynamics.
When will the Highlander remake actually release?
No official release date yet, but with production now scheduled for early 2026 (after Cavill’s injury delayed the original fall 2025 start), we’re probably looking at a 2027 theatrical release. Amazon MGM is planning this as a theatrical release, not a streaming exclusive.
Will there be connections to the original Highlander franchise?
This appears to be a complete remake rather than a continuation of the original timeline. Given how convoluted the Highlander sequels became (remember when they were aliens?), starting fresh is probably the smart move. That said, I wouldn’t be shocked if they include some subtle nods to the original for the fans.
How is this version of Highlander different from previous attempts?
This remake has succeeded where others failed in actually assembling a cast and setting a production date. Previous attempts with Ryan Reynolds and Tom Hardy never made it this far. The combination of Stahelski’s action credentials post-John Wick and Amazon’s willingness to invest in potential franchises seems to have finally pushed this long-gestating project over the finish line.
The Highlander remake is shaping up to be either the coolest revival of a cult classic or the most expensive example of too many cooks in the kitchen. With this many stars and a director known for stylish action, I’m leaning toward the former—but Hollywood has broken my heart before.
What’s clear is that Amazon MGM is betting big on this one. The cast alone must be eating a massive chunk of the budget, and that’s before we get to what will surely be elaborate period settings spanning multiple centuries and countries.
For a franchise that’s been dormant in film form since the early 2000s, this is a massive swing. But if they nail it? We could be looking at the birth of a whole new immortal cinematic universe. And in an era where original blockbuster concepts are increasingly rare, there’s something refreshing about revisiting a mythology this rich and weird.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go listen to “Princes of the Universe” on repeat while imagining Henry Cavill and Russell Crowe sword fighting on top of a castle. As the Highlander himself would say—it’s a kind of magic.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter: Highlander Remake Casting News
