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Henry Cavill has sustained an injury while preparing for the upcoming Amazon MGM remake of Highlander, delaying production on the Chad Stahelski-directed film until early 2026, Variety has confirmed.
The news comes as a setback for one of the most anticipated reboots in recent years. Cavill, who signed on in 2021 to play the lead role of Connor MacLeod—originally brought to life by Christopher Lambert in the 1986 cult classic—has been a central driving force in generating excitement around the project. His injury means cameras won’t roll until the star is fully recovered, pushing the long-incubated film back once again.
The Highlander remake boasts a stacked ensemble cast alongside Cavill. Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Dave Bautista, Marisa Abela, and martial arts star Max Zhang are all set to appear. Behind the camera, Chad Stahelski—best known for steering the John Wick franchise—directs from a script by Michael Finch, with earlier drafts contributed by Ryan J. Condal and Kerry Williamson.
The original Highlander, directed by Russell Mulcahy, chronicled the centuries-spanning battles of immortal warriors, beginning in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century and stretching to Manhattan in the 1980s. Though it underperformed at the box office upon release, the film built a devoted following through home video. Christopher Lambert reprised his role in the 1991 sequel, joined again by Sean Connery, and the franchise expanded into additional sequels, television series, and spin-off novels—cementing its place as a pop-culture staple.
Hollywood’s attempt to revive the property has proven nearly as enduring as the immortals themselves. Development first began back in 2009 at Summit Entertainment under producer Neal H. Moritz. Stahelski joined the project in 2016, bringing his action expertise to the table, but progress stalled for years. United Artists, under newly appointed chief Scott Stuber, acquired the film from Lionsgate earlier in 2024, reinvigorating momentum. Stuber now produces alongside Moritz, Nick Nesbitt, Josh Davis, Louise Rosner, and Stahelski’s own 87Eleven Entertainment banner.
Despite the delay, Cavill’s career remains in high gear. He has already wrapped Netflix’s Enola Holmes 3, Amazon MGM’s adaptation of the beloved ‘80s animated series Voltron, and the action thriller In the Grey for Lionsgate. Once production on Highlander resumes, the film will mark yet another ambitious entry on Cavill’s slate, pairing him with a visionary director and a franchise primed for a new generation of fans.
For now, however, audiences will need patience. Much like the immortal warriors at the heart of the story, the Highlander remake will have to wait—but when it finally arrives, the expectation is that there can be only one.
