The sword-swinging cast of Highlander just got even sharper. Karen Gillan has officially joined Amazon MGM’s upcoming remake of the 1980s cult classic, lining up alongside Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, Dave Bautista, and Marisa Abela.
Chad Stahelski (John Wick) is directing the new adaptation, with principal photography set to begin at the end of September ahead of a theatrical release. Cavill is leading the film as Connor MacLeod, the immortal Scottish warrior originated by Christopher Lambert in the 1986 movie. Crowe will take on Sean Connery’s iconic role as Ramirez, MacLeod’s mentor, while Bautista has been cast as the ruthless Kurgan. Abela (Industry) also has a leading role.
Gillan is playing Heather, the wife of Connor MacLeod and crucially, a mortal. That should add quite a bit of extra weight to the stakes, and it’s a natural fit for Gillan given that she’s used to big budget storytelling but adding emotion to every role she’s given. The original Highlander followed MacLeod as he discovered his immortality, trained under Ramirez, and faced off against other immortal warriors across centuries, culminating in a final showdown. With its unforgettable catchphrase — “there can be only one” — the film spawned multiple sequels, TV spinoffs, and a diehard cult following. Stahelski’s remake is seeking to honor that legacy while giving the story a modern edge. Michael Finch wrote the script, with Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, Neal H. Moritz, Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment, Josh Davis of Davis Panzer Productions, and Louise Rosner producing.
What Has Karen Gillan Done Recently?
For Gillan, this could mark the launch of her third major franchise. She’s already beloved for her role as Amy Pond, companion to Matt Smith’s Doctor in Doctor Who, and for bringing Nebula to life across Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films. She also headlined Sony’s Jumanji films, with a third installment on the way. In short, she’s certainly doing very well for herself at the moment, so this is a great role for her to bag. Plus, it’ll be nice for an actual Scot to appear in a movie set in Scotland, right?
Most recently, Gillan appeared in Neon’s The Life of Chuck, based on the novella by Stephen King. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival and took home the People’s Choice Award, further cementing her reputation as an actress who can juggle blockbusters and prestige dramas with ease.
via Collider