First Look at Henry Cavill's 'Highlander' Reboot Reveals Intense Action Sequences

The footage showcases Cavill's immortal warrior fighting in a neon-drenched rave and battling other undying killers.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:25am

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An extreme close-up of shattered, glittering glass fragments in neon pink, blue, and purple hues, conceptually representing the intense, stylized action of the 'Highlander' reboot.The 'Highlander' reboot promises to bring the immortal warrior saga into the modern era with a visually striking, high-octane action style.Las Vegas Today

Footage from the upcoming 'Highlander' reboot starring Henry Cavill was unveiled at CinemaCon, the annual convention for movie theater owners in Las Vegas. The behind-the-scenes footage showed Cavill's immortal character Connor MacLeod engaged in brutal sword fights, motorcycle chases, and a neon-drenched fight scene at a crowded rave, echoing the action stylings of the 'John Wick' films. Cavill takes on the role originated by Christopher Lambert in the 1986 original, with Russell Crowe and Dave Bautista also joining the cast.

Why it matters

The 'Highlander' franchise has a devoted fanbase, and this reboot marks the first new 'Highlander' film on the big screen since 2000's 'Highlander: Endgame'. Cavill's involvement as the lead, along with the involvement of 'John Wick' director Chad Stahelski, has generated significant anticipation for how the immortal warrior story will be reimagined for modern audiences.

The details

The footage revealed that Cavill's Connor MacLeod was born in 1518 and is forced to fight fellow immortal killers at 'The Gathering', where only one survivor can remain. The action sequences showcased Cavill's character engaged in sword fights, motorcycle chases, and a brutal fight scene set at a crowded rave, all of which were heavily influenced by the kinetic, stylized action of the 'John Wick' films. Filming is still underway, with additional shooting planned in Poland, the Scottish Highlands, and Hong Kong.

  • Footage from the 'Highlander' reboot was unveiled at CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas.

The players

Henry Cavill

The actor who will play the lead role of immortal warrior Connor MacLeod, taking over the part originated by Christopher Lambert in the 1986 original film.

Chad Stahelski

The director of the 'John Wick' film series, who is helming the 'Highlander' reboot and bringing his signature action style to the project.

Russell Crowe

The actor who will play the role of Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, the warrior first portrayed by Sean Connery in the original 'Highlander' film.

Dave Bautista

The actor who will take on the role of The Kurgan, the brutal barbarian character originally played by Clancy Brown in the 1986 film.

Christopher Lambert

The actor who originated the role of Connor MacLeod in the 1986 'Highlander' film.

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What they’re saying

“The 'Highlander' footage revealed Henry Cavill's character fighting at a rave, riding a motorcycle and battling other immortals.”

— Jordan Moreau, Author

What’s next

Filming on the 'Highlander' reboot will continue in Poland, the Scottish Highlands, and Hong Kong, with the project aiming for a future theatrical release.

The takeaway

The first look at the 'Highlander' reboot has generated significant excitement, with Henry Cavill's intense action sequences and the involvement of 'John Wick' director Chad Stahelski suggesting a fresh, high-octane take on the immortal warrior story that could revitalize the long-running franchise for modern audiences.