Amazon MGM's Highlander reboot continues the franchise’s quirky casting tradition, with Ramirez, originally played by Scotsman Sean Connery as a Spanish immortal returning for the remake.
New Zealand-born, Australian Oscar-winner Russell Crowe (Thor: Love and Thunder, Gladiator) has been tapped to portray Ramirez in the new reboot [per Deadline], which stars Henry Cavill (Man of Steel, The Witcher) and is directed by Chad Stahelski (John Wick).
Ramirez was later retconned as Egyptian instead of Spanish, leaving fans curious about how the upcoming Highlander reboot will reinterpret the character.
Production is set to begin in September, and with Crowe now officially on board, additional casting announcements are expected in the coming weeks as momentum builds around this long-anticipated revival of the fantasy action franchise.
Story details for the Highlander reboot remain tightly under wraps, but Henry Cavill has teased that the new film might nod to the 1992 TV series.
However, with Russell Crowe now cast as Ramirez, a character central to the original 1986 movie, it’s looking more likely that the reboot will stick closely to the first film’s storyline rather than blending elements from the broader franchise.
While Henry Cavill’s long-anticipated Highlander reboot seems first out of the gate, it’s just one part of a packed slate of genre-heavy projects the actor has lined up at Amazon Studios.
In addition to donning the mantle of an immortal swordsman, Cavill is also leading the charge on Amazon’s ambitious adaptation of Warhammer 40,000, where he will not only star but also serve as a creative force behind the development of the franchise’s first cinematic universe. The grimdark sci-fi property, beloved by fans worldwide, marks one of Cavill’s most personal and monumental undertakings.
Cavill is also attached to MGM’s upcoming live-action Voltron movie, continuing his evolution as a powerhouse presence in the world of fantasy and science fiction.
For newcomers to the Highlander universe, the core premise revolves around a secretive race of immortals who have lived among humanity for centuries—waging a timeless, deadly conflict known as The Gathering. Bound by an ancient code, these warriors can only be killed by decapitation, and the last one standing is fated to receive unimaginable power.
Though the origins of this supernatural contest remain shrouded in mystery, all immortals abide by three sacred rules:
- No battles may be fought on holy ground
- All duels must be one-on-one
- In the end, there can be only one
The franchise launched with the 1986 cult classic Highlander, starring Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, a Scottish immortal destined to face off against others like him.
While the film bombed at the box office, it became a sleeper hit in later years, evolving into a sprawling saga, spawning four sequels, a number of tie-in novels and comics, and a beloved television spin-off.
The 1992 Highlander: The Series TV show introduced fans to Duncan MacLeod, portrayed by Adrian Paul, expanding the lore and emotional depth of the universe. With six seasons and 119 episodes, the show became a staple of fantasy television, even inspiring two additional spin-offs and cementing Highlander as a lasting pop culture phenomenon.