Highlander reboot: henry cavill promises 'insane' action, major character shift
Forget everything you thought you knew about Roxanne Hart’s Brenda Wyatt. The upcomingHighlander reboot, directed by Chad Stahelski (yes, the John Wick mastermind), is radically rethinking the character, and star Siobhán Cullen is dropping tantalizing hints about what to expect.
A mortal caught in a world of immortals
Cullen, who steps into the role of Brenda, revealed in a recent interview with Deadline that this Brenda is “totally different” from the forensic scientist portrayed in the 1986 classic. “We find her at a different time in her life,” she explained. “We find her getting into trouble, and when she meets Connor on a pivotal night, as a mortal, she gets swept up in the world of immortals.” This Brenda isn’t just uncovering Connor’s secrets; she’s being thrust into a centuries-old conflict, becoming, as Cullen puts it, “the eyes of the audience” as she navigates a world that shatters her understanding of reality.
Stahelski’s vision, described as “John Wick with swords,” suggests a significant escalation in the action department, and Henry Cavill seems perfectly suited for the role of Connor MacLeod. His experience wielding a blade in The Witcher clearly hasn’t gone to waste.
The film, set in both modern-day New York and Hong Kong, promises a sprawling, visually arresting spectacle, with Cavill playing a sword master who's been alive for over 500 years—a character with a history steeped in diverse martial arts training. The teaser images released by Cavill himself, showcasing him in both Hong Kong and New York locales, only fuel the anticipation.
Action that will leave you breathless
Cullen’s enthusiasm for the action sequences is infectious. “Some of the fighting scenes I’ve seen are just insane,” she gushed, praising Stahelski's mastery of the action language. She added that working with him is like experiencing “this whole other script that’s happening parallel to our dialogue.” It's clear the action isn't merely window dressing; it's woven into the very fabric of the characters and their story.
The cast is a veritable powerhouse, including Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Dave Bautista, Marisa Abela and Max Zhang. Notably, WWE star Drew McIntyre joins the fray as Angus MacLeod, Connor's brother, adding another layer of physicality and intrigue.
Stahelski’s broader vision extends beyond a single film. He’s hinted at a potential franchise, drawing inspiration from the television series and aiming to build a comprehensive mythology around the “Gathering” of immortals—a concept that could keep audiences engaged for years to come.
Cavill himself, a long-time Highlander fan, has been upfront about the challenges—including a leg injury that delayed production—but his dedication to the project is evident. “If you thought you’d seen me do swordwork before, you haven’t seen anything yet,” he proclaimed earlier this year, a bold statement that only heightens the anticipation for this reimagining of a classic.
The Highlander reboot isn’t just a revival; it’s a reinvention, poised to deliver a fresh, action-packed take on a beloved franchise. With Stahelski at the helm and Cavill leading the charge, the game is truly on.