Henry Cavill’s Highlander Is Getting the John Wick Treatment

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Since his explosive debut in 2014, fueled by revenge for his dog, Keanu Reeves’ John Wick has become a major force in action movies. The four films have been incredibly successful, each one bigger and more visually impressive than the last. The series’ unique and stylish action sequences have had a huge impact on the genre – it feels like a new movie trying to copy its style comes out every month. Now, it’s almost impossible for an action film to be released without being compared to John Wick‘s exciting and brutal choreography.

Everyone’s talking about the 2026 reboot of the 1986 film Highlander, starring Henry Cavill, and comparing it to John Wick. But what makes this revival so likely to redefine the fantasy genre? A big reason is the director: Chad Stahelski, who directed all four John Wick movies. Plus, Dave Bautista, known for his role in Marvel films, who plays the villain, has said the action will be revolutionary for the genre.

The Road to Cavill Playing the Immortal Highlander Has Been Long and Winding

It’s common in Hollywood for movies to spend years in development only to be canceled – a situation known as “development hell.” This film almost suffered the same fate, but thanks to the dedication of Henry Cavill and Chad Stahelski, it finally moved forward. Still, the journey wasn’t easy. Stahelski first committed to directing in November 2016, after the success of the first John Wick movie, but the project had already gone through numerous writers and directors over eight years. Notable names who were involved at one point included Justin Lin (Fast Five) and Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later), and Ryan Reynolds was even set to star as the lead character, Connor MacLeod, back in 2012 before ultimately deciding against it. Even after Stahelski took the helm, it took another ten years before filming could finally begin in 2026.

The production of the film faced numerous setbacks, leading those involved, like Stahelski and his team, to sometimes feel it was jinxed. Even with stars Henry Cavill and Dave Bautista on board, progress was slow. Cavill committed to the role of MacLeod in May 2021 and remained dedicated despite a leg injury in September 2025 that pushed the start of filming to January 2026. He was consistently enthusiastic about bringing the iconic “There can be only one” line to a new generation, telling The Hollywood Reporter that he was “extremely excited” about the project, finding the character “a lot of fun to play,” and praising director Chad Stahelski as a “very talented man.”

Dave Bautista’s Path to His Dream Role as The Kurgan Was Even Longer

Surprisingly, Dave Bautista remained interested in the Highlander project even longer than Henry Cavill. Rumors first linked him to the role of The Kurgan way back in February 2015, shortly after the first Guardians of the Galaxy film came out. It wasn’t until 2025 that Bautista clarified those reports were early, but he did say he’d been actively trying to get the part for a full decade. His motivation? He’s a lifelong Highlander fan. He told Collider he’d even tweeted about wanting to play The Kurgan more than ten years prior.

Dave Bautista vividly remembers being captivated by the idea of playing a villain who beheads immortals in New York City – a scene he considered instantly iconic. He always wanted to be like the character the Kurgan, admitting, “I don’t know why, but there was something magical about that role. He’s a villain you love to hate.” Bautista persistently followed the development of the project through various changes in creators and studios, and finally managed to speak with director Chad Stahelski at the premiere of The Killer’s Game in 2024. He directly told Stahelski he wanted the part, explaining, “I don’t play games. If I want something, I go after it.” After a few weeks of worrying someone else had been cast, Bautista excitedly accepted when Stahelski called and offered him the role, enthusiastically saying, “Yeah, I want the role!”

After the lead roles were cast, the rest of the actors joined the film throughout 2025. Russell Crowe, who previously worked with Henry Cavill in Man of Steel, signed on to play Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, a role famously played by Sean Connery in the original movies. Soon after, Karen Gillan and Djimon Hounsou, both co-stars with Dave Bautista in Guardians of the Galaxy, joined the cast as MacLeod’s wife and best friend, respectively. Jeremy Irons agreed to play the head of The Watchers, an old group that tracks the actions of Immortals. Finally, Drew McIntyre, a fellow wrestler with Bautista, was cast as MacLeod’s brother, and another actor signed on to play a forensic scientist who develops a romantic connection with MacLeod while investigating a murder committed by the villain.

Bautista is Convinced That Highlander’s Action Will Be On Par With John Wick

After ten years of difficult production, the first footage from the film directed by Stahelski, starring Cavill and Bautista, was revealed at CinemaCon on April 15, 2026. Cavill appeared in a video message, telling fans they were still only halfway through filming but believed they were creating something extraordinary. The footage included a face-off between Cavill and Bautista, along with fast-paced action sequences featuring sword fights, motorcycle chases, and a nightclub brawl reminiscent of the John Wick films. Those at the event were very impressed, praising the exciting potential of the scenes and the unique blend of Stahelski’s signature action style with fantasy themes.

Action movie fans are starting to think Chad Stahelski might be about to change the fantasy genre with the new Highlander film. Dave Bautista definitely believes so, telling Collider it’s much more ambitious than the original. He hinted that the movie will be a huge surprise, saying it’s bigger and fresher than people expect. Bautista described it as a modern, faster-paced take on Highlander. Now, fans are eagerly waiting to see if Bautista’s excitement is justified and if this new Highlander will truly be a game-changer for fantasy movies.

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2026-04-18 02:18