First Highlander Teaser with Henry Cavill Shown at CinemaCon 2026

There can be only one! Like many other films, the new "Highlander" movie starring Henry Cavill was presented at CinemaCon 2026. Attendees were even treated to a first teaser shown live on site. Cavill, of course, plays protagonist Connor MacLeod, who appears in the footage. According to media reports, the character introduces himself in the teaser as follows: "I am Connor MacLeod, who was born in 1518, and I am immortal."

At the same time, the teaser also offers a first look at Dave Bautista as the antagonist Kurgan. The focus is on a conversation between MacLeod and Kurgan.

Kurgan: "When my sword changes history, you will have a front row seat, Highlander."

MacLeod: "All right, if you say so."

At the end of the teaser, several other characters deliver the iconic "Highlander" line: "There can be only one!"

So far, only two images of Henry Cavill have been released. As for Bautista, only leaked set photos have surfaced online. The first-look teaser has also only been shown at the "Highlander" panel at CinemaCon. We hope the teaser will be released to a wider audience soon. As soon as it's available, you'll of course find it on our KinoCheck app and on our YouTube channel.

Current Production Status

Henry Cavill also provided an update on the current status of production.

"We are only halfway through production but already feel we are creating something truly special."

However, it's still unclear exactly when "Highlander" will be released. At one point, a release in 2027 or 2028 was being discussed, though that was before production was paused due to Cavill's injury. Still, there's good reason to hope that the targeted release window will be met. Find out all the other details about the "Highlander" reboot in our big movie preview!

What is "Highlander" about?

The story centers on Connor MacLeod, a 16th-century Scottish warrior who discovers he is immortal. He belongs to a group of "Immortals" who have been facing off in sword fights for centuries. If one of them dies, his power passes to the victor. At the end, "the prize" awaits – because: There can be only one.

The original 1986 film starring Christopher Lambert quickly became a cult classic, blending fantasy with action set against the backdrop of historical Scotland and the 1980s. Several sequels and a TV series were also produced, though many fans feel they don't measure up to the original.

What the reboot has planned

The reboot is being directed by Chad Stahelski, known for "John Wick". The director plans to expand the world: in addition to Scotland and New York, new locations like Hong Kong are set to play a role. Additionally, more immortals will be introduced to make the universe bigger and more diverse.

MacLeod is described as a fighter who has mastered a wide variety of fighting styles over the centuries. One might assume that "Highlander" will resemble the action-packed style of "John Wick", just with swords. At the same time, the film is also set to tell an unusual love story.

The Cast

The casting of Henry Cavill as Connor MacLeod is considered a major plus. He is, of course, known for his roles in "The Witcher" and as Superman (in "Man of Steel", among others). Other key roles are played by Russell Crowe as the mentor Ramirez (originally played by Sean Connery), Dave Bautista as the antagonist Kurgan, and Jeremy Irons as the leader of a group called the "Watchers". Also part of the ensemble are Marisa Abela in a new role connected to MacLeod, Karen Gillan as Connor's mortal wife Heather, and Djimon Hounsou as another immortal. The screenplay is by Michael Finch, who previously worked on "John Wick 4".

What can we expect?

Stahelski is known for handcrafted, precisely choreographed action with long takes instead of frantic cuts. This could work very well for the duels that are central to "Highlander". At the same time, the concept of different eras opens up plenty of room for visually diverse set pieces.

With Cavill in the lead role and an experienced action director, the odds are good that the film will offer a modern take on the cult classic's charm. One challenge remains: the villain. The original Kurgan set the bar high. The legendary Queen soundtrack is also set to be honored – a key factor in the original's unique atmosphere. So the reboot has a strong foundation. We're eager to see when we'll get our first look at the teaser or trailer.