# Highlander (upcoming film)
**Highlander** is an upcoming fantasy action film reimagining the 1986 cult classic about immortal warriors battling through the centuries. Directed by [Chad Stahelski](https://www.edgepedia.org/chad-stahelski) and starring [Henry Cavill](https://www.edgepedia.org/henry-cavill) as [Connor MacLeod](https://www.edgepedia.org/connor-macleod), it is produced by Amazon MGM Studios' revived United Artists label, which holds full rights to the franchise, and is scheduled for theatrical release in 2027.[1](https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-highlander-injury-pushes-production-to-2026/) • [2](https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/news/2026/04/16/amazon-mgm-highlander-film-production-hong-kong-poland)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Star | Henry Cavill as Connor MacLeod, attached since 2021[1](https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-highlander-injury-pushes-production-to-2026/) |
| Director | Chad Stahelski, who directed the first four *John Wick* films[3](https://au.variety.com/2026/film/global/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-reboot-32480/) |
| Writers | Kerry Williamson and Michael Finch (*John Wick: Chapter 4*); Ryan J. Condal worked on earlier drafts[1](https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-highlander-injury-pushes-production-to-2026/) • [3](https://au.variety.com/2026/film/global/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-reboot-32480/) |
| Principal cast | Russell Crowe (Ramirez), Dave Bautista (the Kurgan), Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Jeremy Irons, Marisa Abela, Siobhán Cullen, Drew McIntyre, and Max Zhang[4](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-stunt-training/) |
| Production | Filming began February 2026 in Scotland and London, moving on to the Scottish Highlands, Poland, and Hong Kong; in post-production as of late April 2026[2](https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/news/2026/04/16/amazon-mgm-highlander-film-production-hong-kong-poland) • [5](https://www.productionlist.com/production/highlander-film) |
| Release | Theatrical, in 2027[2](https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/news/2026/04/16/amazon-mgm-highlander-film-production-hong-kong-poland) |
| Studio | United Artists at Amazon MGM Studios, under Scott Stuber's revived label[2](https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/news/2026/04/16/amazon-mgm-highlander-film-production-hong-kong-poland) |
## Development history
A remake of *Highlander* has been circulating in Hollywood since at least 2008.[6](https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/there-can-still-be-only-one-highlander-is-40/) Chad Stahelski, a stunt performer turned director who made his name on the *John Wick* series, joined the project in 2016, and Henry Cavill was reportedly attached to star in 2021.[7](https://www.looper.com/1255889/highlander-reboot-still-in-works-director-chad-stahelski-exclusive/) For years the film cycled through directors, scripts, and studios before landing at Amazon MGM.[8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYb_zXgsuVU)
**The move to Amazon MGM.** The project had been developed at Lionsgate before [United Artists](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-artists), the label run by former Netflix film head Scott Stuber at [Amazon MGM Studios](https://www.edgepedia.org/amazon-mgm-studios), secured full rights to the franchise, with the potential to develop a new series as well.[1](https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-highlander-injury-pushes-production-to-2026/) The producing team includes Stuber and Nick Nesbitt for United Artists, Neal H. Moritz, Stahelski's 87Eleven [Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/entertainment), Josh Davis of Davis Panzer Productions, and Louise Rosner.[1](https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-highlander-injury-pushes-production-to-2026/) For Cavill, the film is one of several projects at Amazon MGM, alongside the *Voltron* feature and a developing *Warhammer 40,000* franchise.[1](https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-highlander-injury-pushes-production-to-2026/)
## Delay, filming, and release
In September 2025, Cavill sustained an undisclosed injury during pre-production training, pushing the planned start of filming, which had been set for September 2025 in London, into 2026.[1](https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-highlander-injury-pushes-production-to-2026/) • [9](https://www.screendaily.com/news/amazon-mgms-highlander-starring-henry-cavill-begins-filming-in-london-and-scotland/5213646.article)
Filming began in February 2026 in Scotland and London.[2](https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/news/2026/04/16/amazon-mgm-highlander-film-production-hong-kong-poland) At Amazon MGM's CinemaCon presentation in April 2026, Cavill appeared in a recorded message from set in the UK teasing footage from the film, with production set to move on to locations in the [Scottish Highlands](https://www.edgepedia.org/scottish-highlands), Poland, and Hong Kong.[2](https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/news/2026/04/16/amazon-mgm-highlander-film-production-hong-kong-poland) Principal photography has finished: the film was listed as in post-production as of April 28, 2026.[5](https://www.productionlist.com/production/highlander-film) It is expected in theaters sometime in the back half of the 2027 schedule.[10](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/henry-cavill-russell-crowe-highlander-reunion-25-year-history)
## Story and approach
Stahelski has described the film as moving from the early 1500s in the Highlands to "beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong", with a large opportunity for action and a love story "but not how you think".[11](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/henry-cavill-looks-battle-worn-in-long-awaited-first-look-at-john-wick-creators-highlander-reboot/) He told interviewers that Cavill plays a 500-year-old sword master.[12](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/fans-may-have-to-wait-even-longer-to-see-henry-cavills-highlander-remake-as-an-injury-pushes-back-the-films-schedule/)
The first footage, shown at CinemaCon in April 2026, opened with Cavill declaring in a Scottish accent, "My name is Connor MacLeod. I was born in 1518. And I am immortal", followed by sword battles in neon-lit environments; the presentation ended with several cast members saying "There can be only one", closing on Bautista's Kurgan.[4](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-stunt-training/) • [13](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/henry-cavill-is-back-as-a-swordfighting-hero-in-first-highlander-footage-and-it-could-fix-the-geralt-of-rivia-shaped-hole-in-my-heart/) The action has been described as "John Wick with swords".[13](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/henry-cavill-is-back-as-a-swordfighting-hero-in-first-highlander-footage-and-it-could-fix-the-geralt-of-rivia-shaped-hole-in-my-heart/) Cavill's first-look images, released in January 2026, showed a battle-worn Connor in a leather coat with a sword, and the film's reimagining places [Russell Crowe](https://www.edgepedia.org/russell-crowe) in the mentor role of Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, played by [Sean Connery](https://www.edgepedia.org/sean-connery) in the original.[11](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/henry-cavill-looks-battle-worn-in-long-awaited-first-look-at-john-wick-creators-highlander-reboot/) • [3](https://au.variety.com/2026/film/global/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-reboot-32480/)
## The 1986 original
The reboot is based on [Russell Mulcahy](https://www.edgepedia.org/russell-mulcahy)'s 1986 fantasy action film, in which [Christopher Lambert](https://www.edgepedia.org/christopher-lambert) played Connor MacLeod, an immortal Scottish warrior born in the 16th century who must fight other immortals to the death until one remains.[3](https://au.variety.com/2026/film/global/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-reboot-32480/) • [6](https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/there-can-still-be-only-one-highlander-is-40/) Screenwriter Gregory Widen wrote the first draft as a UCLA college student, selling it for $200,000, and the film, grossing $13 million against a $19 million production budget, became a cult classic afterward on the strength of its mythology and [Queen](https://www.edgepedia.org/queen-band) soundtrack.[6](https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/there-can-still-be-only-one-highlander-is-40/) The 1986 film spawned sequels, television series, and spinoff novels, and the franchise's contradictory continuities have made the property one studios have repeatedly tried to relaunch.[6](https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/there-can-still-be-only-one-highlander-is-40/) • [3](https://au.variety.com/2026/film/global/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-reboot-32480/)
## References
1. [Henry Cavill 'Highlander' Injury Pushes Amazon MGM Production Start to 2026, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-highlander-injury-pushes-production-to-2026/)
2. [Amazon MGM's 'Highlander' moving production to Poland, Hong Kong, Screen Global Production](https://www.screenglobalproduction.com/news/2026/04/16/amazon-mgm-highlander-film-production-hong-kong-poland)
3. ['Highlander' First Look: Henry Cavill Wields Sword in 'John Wick' Director Chad Stahelski's Reboot, Variety](https://au.variety.com/2026/film/global/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-reboot-32480/)
4. ['Highlander' First Look Emphasizes Henry Cavill's Stunt Training, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/highlander-first-look-henry-cavill-stunt-training/)
5. [Highlander | Production List, Film & Television Industry Alliance](https://www.productionlist.com/production/highlander-film)
6. [There can (still) be only one: Highlander is 40, Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/culture/2026/03/there-can-still-be-only-one-highlander-is-40/)
7. [The Highlander Reboot Is Still In The Works, According To Director Chad Stahelski, Looper](https://www.looper.com/1255889/highlander-reboot-still-in-works-director-chad-stahelski-exclusive/)
8. [Highlander Reboot Explained: Henry Cavill's Long Road to the sword, Screen Rant via YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYb_zXgsuVU)
9. [Amazon MGM's 'Highlander' starring Henry Cavill begins filming in London and Scotland, Screen](https://www.screendaily.com/news/amazon-mgms-highlander-starring-henry-cavill-begins-filming-in-london-and-scotland/5213646.article)
10. [Henry Cavill And Russell Crowe's Highlander Reunion Has Been 25 Years In The Making, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/henry-cavill-russell-crowe-highlander-reunion-25-year-history)
11. [Henry Cavill looks battle-worn in long-awaited first look at John Wick creator's Highlander reboot, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/henry-cavill-looks-battle-worn-in-long-awaited-first-look-at-john-wick-creators-highlander-reboot/)
12. [Fans may have to wait even longer to see Henry Cavill's Highlander remake, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/fans-may-have-to-wait-even-longer-to-see-henry-cavills-highlander-remake-as-an-injury-pushes-back-the-films-schedule/)
13. [Henry Cavill is back as a swordfighting hero in first Highlander footage, GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/action-movies/henry-cavill-is-back-as-a-swordfighting-hero-in-first-highlander-footage-and-it-could-fix-the-geralt-of-rivia-shaped-hole-in-my-heart/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Franchise and series entries as standalone works › Action, thriller, and crime series film entries › Entries released 2020s and later*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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