Dave Bautista in Final Talks To Play Villain in Highlander Remake at Amazon MGM Studios
The reboot, helmed by John Wick directer Chad Stahelski and starring Henry Cavill and Russell Crowe, begins filming this Fall.
(Photo by JA/Everett Collection)
Dave Bautista is officially in final talks to play the villainous Kurgan in Amazon MGM’s upcoming remake of the 1980s cult classic Highlander. If the deal closes, he’ll join a star-studded cast that includes Henry Cavill as the sword-wielding immortal Connor MacLeod and Russell Crowe as his mentor, Ramirez.
Directed by Chad Stahelski (John Wick), the action-fantasy is set to begin filming in late September across locations in the UK and Hong Kong. The film is set to receive a theatrical release. Marisa Abela (Industry) is also attached in a leading role, with a script penned by Michael Finch. Producers include Scott Stuber, Nick Nesbitt, Neal H. Moritz, Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment, Josh Davis of Davis Panzer Productions, and Louise Rosner.
Bautista’s potential casting has been years in the making. He was previously linked to the role nearly a decade ago, when a different version of the film was in development. Originally portrayed by Clancy Brown in the 1986 film, the Kurgan is a brutal immortal who hunts others like him to absorb their power.
This would mark another major project for Bautista at Amazon, where he’s become a familiar face. He starred in 2020’s My Spy and its sequel, recently wrapped The Wrecking Crew alongside Jason Momoa, and is also in talks to join Amazon’s upcoming Road House sequel.
