Dave Bautista Takes on Kurgan in New Highlander Remake—Why This Casting Could Actually Work

Why Dave Bautista as Kurgan Actually Caught My Eye

Another Highlander remake? Honestly, my first thought was worry-Hollywood’s obsession with reboots rarely ends with something that honors the source. But when the news broke that Dave Bautista would play the legendary villain Kurgan opposite Henry Cavill’s Connor MacLeod, I perked up. This casting isn’t just some muscle-bound stunt. With Chad Stahelski (of John Wick fame) directing, this project finally feels like it could bring Highlander’s immortal swordfights into the modern action-movie arena, minus the 1980s cheese.

• Bautista as Kurgan: Not a cheap shot-he has real dramatic chops and the brutality needed for this role.
• Chad Stahelski behind the camera: Expect fight scenes with real weight, not just quick cuts and shaky cam.
• A truly stacked cast: Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, and Marisa Abela round out a lineup that signals serious intent.
• Highlander’s legacy on the line: This project owes everything to a fiercely devoted fan base-no coasting allowed.

Breaking Down the Announcement: A Cast with Actual Promise

If you grew up quoting “There can be only one!”, you know the Highlander series is sacred ground. The original 1986 film was a weird, lightning-in-a-bottle mix of swords, 80s rock, and mythic nonsense that somehow just worked—thanks to Clancy Brown’s unhinged Kurgan and Christopher Lambert’s oddball charisma. Now, with Dave Bautista finally confirmed as Kurgan after years of rumors, the remake is starting to look like more than just another hollow cash-in.

Bautista has proven he’s far more than a wrestler-turned-actor with muscle to spare. His performances in Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and even smaller flicks like Knock at the Cabin have shown real range—that rare ability to play both terrifying and, sometimes, vulnerable. In fact, he was briefly circling the Kurgan role way back in 2015; clearly, he’s been passionate about making it happen.

Industry Context: Why This Remake Might (Finally) Get Highlander Right

Highlander remakes have been stuck in development limbo for years, and every fan knows it. It’s not just a question of updating the visuals—previous attempts ignored what gave the original its weird heart. But this time, Chad Stahelski’s presence says a lot: the John Wick director knows how to choreograph violence that feels both bone-crunching and stylish. If there’s any hope of the famous sword duels getting a proper modern upgrade, it’s under his direction.

Henry Cavill was an obvious—but smart—pick for Connor MacLeod. He’s shown with Geralt in The Witcher that he can be brooding, noble, and swing a sword like he means it. But Bautista vs. Cavill? Now that’s a showdown I actually want to see—especially with Russell Crowe stepping into the Sean Connery “mentor” slot as Ramirez.

Gamer Take: What Real Fans Need to Watch Out For

Look, Highlander’s fan base is fiercely protective and with good reason. The film’s core conceit—immortals battling across centuries, accumulating power until only one remains—is both brilliant and hard to pull off without descending into camp or lore overload. The last thing we need is another soulless adaptation that stuffs in action and forgets the myth.

The casting choices are strong, but my skepticism remains whenever Hollywood courts nostalgia. Will Stahelski keep Queen’s epic rock vibe (or try to outdo it)? Will the script be more than just a “greatest hits” remix of the 1986 plot? And will Bautista channel Brown’s scene-stealing wildness without turning Kurgan into a CGI punchline? If this tries to be just another glossy Amazon action flick, fans will spot the laziness a mile away.

Where This Leaves Highlander (and Us)

Shooting starts in September, with locations across the UK and Hong Kong—that’s a promising sign they aren’t cheaping out on production value. The Amazon MGM/United Artists involvement means theatrical release and big streaming backup. If Stahelski keeps the action inventive and respects the franchise’s oddball DNA, this remake could win over skeptics and introduce a new generation to the cool, over-the-top drama that makes Highlander so unique.

TL;DR

Dave Bautista as Kurgan opposite Henry Cavill’s Highlander is the first remake news in years that feels authentic, not just another nostalgia cash grab. If Stahelski nails the action and the cast delivers real emotional heat, this project might finally give fans the Highlander they deserve. But if it coasts on brand recognition, there can (still) be only one…disappointed fandom.