Henry Cavill Gets a Co-Star: New Female Lead for "Highlander" Reboot Revealed
Most recently, the casting of Hollywood star Russell Crowe was also announced
There can be only one – or is it two? As reported by industry magazine The Hollywood Reporter, among others, Henry Cavill is getting support in his "Highlander" reboot. Apparently, another leading actress has been found for the film by "John Wick" director Chad Stahelski.
The actress in question is Marisa Abela. She is best known for the Amy Winehouse biopic "Back to Black", in which she played the music icon. Abela can also be seen in a leading role in the HBO series "Industry". She was also recently awarded Best Actress at the BAFTA TV Awards for this series.
Marisa Abela in "Highlander"
Abela will now play a completely new character in "Highlander". The Hollywood Reporter describes her role as an an "immortal who is a teacher of swordplay". Also, she is a past love of Connor MacLeod.
MacLeod will be played by fan favorite Henry Cavill. In the 1986 original, the protagonist was played by Christopher Lambert. It was also recently announced that "Gladiator" star Russell Crowe will follow in the footsteps of Hollywood legend Sean Connery. Crowe will be seen in the reboot as mentor Ramirez.
Meanwhile, director Chad Stahelski has already proven with his "John Wick" films that he has an extraordinary talent for directing action scenes. It will be interesting to see how his interpretation of "Highlander" will turn out.
The Original from the 80s
The "Highlander" movie from 1986 took the audience into the world of Connor MacLeod, a 16th century Scottish warrior who discovers his immortality after a battle. Under the guidance of Ramirez, he learns sword fighting and the rules of eternal life. In 1980s New York, he finally has a showdown with his arch-enemy Kurgan.
The film became a cult classic – not least thanks to the legendary Queen soundtrack. Christopher Lambert became famous overnight. It was followed by three movies, a TV movie and an anime. The franchise was also expanded with series, books, comics and video games.
At the heart of all "Highlander" stories is one principle: Immortals fight each other in duels to the death. The victor absorbs the strength and knowledge of the vanquished – until only one remains at the end. The one remaining receives the so-called "Prize", a kind of divine power.
What Is Known About the Plot of the Reboot?
The upcoming "Highlander" reboot will pick up on elements from the previous films and series, but will tell its own story. It is not a remake, but a kind of prequel. It is intended to serve as the basis for further films and give the franchise new impetus.
According to an interview with The Direct, the story begins in the Scottish Highlands in the early 16th century and repeatedly jumps to the present day – including New York and Hong Kong. That sounds very much like a Stahelski film. Stahelski has already explored numerous countries and settings in his "John Wick" series. He has also spoken several times about his love of Asian cinema, which is evident again and again in the "John Wick" movies. The action there is strongly reminiscent of Hong Kong cinema. It is therefore possible that these influences are also visible in "Highlander".
Henry Cavill's MacLeod was not only trained in sword fighting for over 500 years, but also in various martial arts styles – a clear contrast to Christopher Lambert's character. In addition to spectacular action, romance will also play a role, as it did in the 1986 original. Stahelski describes the film as "a bit of a love story, but not how you think."
The reboot is also probably preparing for a final meeting of the last immortals. Future movies could therefore introduce more characters who meet up later – a potential starting signal for a new, epic fantasy universe. But first, it remains to be seen how the reboot will perform at the box office.
A little patience is also required – but the start of filming has already been set: Filming will begin in England, Scotland and Hong Kong in September 2025. However, there is no date for a theatrical release yet. If you're interested, you can find all further information, details and theories in our extensive film preview!
