Highlander’s filming may have been delayed due to Henry Cavill getting injured during preproduction, but the long-awaited reboot is still making progress forward. The latest update comes in the form of another casting, as Jeremy Irons has joined the new take on the 1986 fantasy cult classic. Not only does the role he’s playing sound fascinating, but this also means we’re getting a DC Extended Universe reunion in Highlander.
Jeremy Irons played Alfred Pennyworth in the defunct superhero franchise, and while he didn’t share any scenes with Henry Cavill’s Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, they did briefly cross paths in Justice League (both cuts). For Highlander, THR has shared that like Dave Bautista, Irons is playing one of the movie’s antagonists. While Bautista’s Kurgan has top baddie status, Irons is playing the leader of a group called The Watchers, who are, as described by the publication, “keeping an eye on the immortals and see them as a threat to humanity.”
Russell Crowe, who played Jor-El in Man of Steel, will play Ramirez, Connor MacLeod’s mentor. Djimon Hounsou has also been cast as an immortal warrior from Africa. However, Hounsou never shared any screen time with Cavill in the DCEU. He played King Ricou in Aquaman, and The Wizard in both Shazam!movies, none of which Cavill appeared in. Both actors also cameoed separately in Black Adam.
The Highlander cast also includes Marisa Abela, Karen Gillan, Max Zhang and Drew McIntyre. Chad Stahelski is directing the reboot off a script written by Michael Finch. Originally Highlander was a Lionsgate production, but now it’s being handled by Amazon-MGM United Artists banner. It still doesn’t have a release date, but cameras are now set to begin rolling in early 2026.