Movies HIGHLANDER (Jeremy Irons Joins Cast, post #159)

[irish_thug]

Any word on who's cast as the Kurgan? Because if they fuck that up, it won't matter how good the rest of the cast is.

#ClancyBrownBless

Wikipedia say Fassbender wants the villain role. No idea if it will be the Kugan or a different character. Not a lot of people out there with Clancy's presence.

 

[Osculater]

I guess this movie ain't going to be to bad because both actors have experience in sword fighting. The screen play might suck but I bet the action will be good LOL

 

[KnightTemplar]

Wikipedia say Fassbender wants the villain role. No idea if it will be the Kugan or a different character. Not a lot of people out there with Clancy's presence.

No. Just fucking no.

I loved Fassbender as Magneto. He's a legit elite-level actor who can play a variety of roles superbly well. But the Kurgan requires a certain physical type. While Fassbender is in good shape - he competes in Motor Racing as a hobby - he lacks the sheer intimidating bulk of Clancy.

Whoever the Big Bad is, he's going to have to look like a real physical threat to Henry Cavil, fucking Superman himself.

 

[irish_thug]

No. Just fucking no.

I loved Fassbender as Magneto. He's a legit elite-level actor who can play a variety of roles superbly well. But the Kurgan requires a certain physical type. While Fassbender is in good shape - he competes in Motor Racing as a hobby - he lacks the sheer intimidating bulk of Clancy.

Whoever the Big Bad is, he's going to have to look like a real physical threat to Henry Cavil, fucking Superman himself.

I vote for the Undertaker, or Kane.

 

[KnightTemplar]

I vote for the Undertaker, or Kane.

I'd even take Cena over Fassbender for this role.

But not the Rock.

 

[Osculater]

No. Just fucking no.

I loved Fassbender as Magneto. He's a legit elite-level actor who can play a variety of roles superbly well. But the Kurgan requires a certain physical type. While Fassbender is in good shape - he competes in Motor Racing as a hobby - he lacks the sheer intimidating bulk of Clancy.

Whoever the Big Bad is, he's going to have to look like a real physical threat to Henry Cavil, fucking Superman himself.

What about Adam Driver since he's kind of tall and ugly

 

[KnightTemplar]

What about Adam Driver since he's kind of tall and ugly

He'd need to get on Hemsworth-levels of Holywood Vitamins to bulk up enough.

 

[Osculater]

He'd need to get on Hemsworth-levels of Holywood Vitamins to bulk up enough.

He has the frame for it and should respond well to the secret juice

 

[KnightTemplar]

He has the frame for it and should respond well to the secret juice

He's a decent actor, but he carries too much baggage from those God-awful sequels.

 

[ssBaldy]

No. Just fucking no.

I loved Fassbender as Magneto. He's a legit elite-level actor who can play a variety of roles superbly well. But the Kurgan requires a certain physical type. While Fassbender is in good shape - he competes in Motor Racing as a hobby - he lacks the sheer intimidating bulk of Clancy.

Whoever the Big Bad is, he's going to have to look like a real physical threat to Henry Cavil, fucking Superman himself.

Alan Ritchson (sp?) looked significantly bigger than Cavill in Ministry of ungentlemanly warfare

 

[KnightTemplar]

Alan Ritchson (sp?) looked significantly bigger than Cavill in Ministry of ungentlemanly warfare

Hell, yes! That's a good catch, bro. He's got the muscle and the talent to nail that role.

 

[steeldragon]

Probably not tall enough but I'd like to see Javier bardem as kurgan

 

[GearSolidMetal]

No. Just fucking no.

I loved Fassbender as Magneto. He's a legit elite-level actor who can play a variety of roles superbly well. But the Kurgan requires a certain physical type. While Fassbender is in good shape - he competes in Motor Racing as a hobby - he lacks the sheer intimidating bulk of Clancy.

Whoever the Big Bad is, he's going to have to look like a real physical threat to Henry Cavil, fucking Superman himself.

I see your point, but I'm also reminded of Terminator 2.

Imagine if the Internet was around and in the late 80s & early 90s and word got out that Arnold was a good Terminator and the bad Terminator would be ... Skinny-as-Fuck Robert Patrick?

And time would judge out first impressions extremely incorrect.

While Fassbender may not be a physical powerhouse he can play a mincing villain better than the vast majority of Hollywood, and I can imagine this Highlander reboot rivalry between the protagonist & antagonist be similar to Thor & Loki.
Thor being the physical powerhouse of a god, and Loki being a master manipulator.

Henry Cavill
Russel Crowe
Michael Fassbender

Haven't been to a theater in years and I'm not even a fan of the Highlander series but I'd buy tickets in advance to see that Highlander film opening night.

 

[KnightTemplar]

I see your point, but I'm also reminded of Terminator 2.

Imagine if the Internet was around and in the late 80s & early 90s and word got out that Arnold was a good Terminator and the bad Terminator would be ... Skinny-as-Fuck Robert Patrick?

And time would judge out first impressions extremely incorrect.

While Fassbender may not be a physical powerhouse he can play a mincing villain better than the vast majority of Hollywood, and I can imagine this Highlander reboot rivalry between the protagonist & antagonist be similar to Thor & Loki.
Thor being the physical powerhouse of a god, and Loki being a master manipulator.

Henry Cavill
Russel Crowe
Michael Fassbender

Haven't been to a theater in years and I'm not even a fan of the Highlander series but I'd buy tickets in advance to see that Highlander film opening night.

I can't argue with your basic premise regarding T2. I will however point out that Patrick's T-1000 was explicitly a newer, more improved model compared to Arnold. Patrick's Terminator therefor had a technological edge, which explained his ability to dominate Arnold's T-800 in a fight.

This would not apply to the Kurgan. He's an Immortal, the same basic, "model" as Connor. If he's to present a credible threat to the Highlander, the Kurgan should be physically imposing enough to sell it. Especially as the actor has to follow Clancy Brown's iconic performance. Prime Brown was a beast.

I think @ssBaldy 's suggestion of Alan Ritchson is the best choice.

 

[ufcfan4]

I can't argue with your basic premise regarding T2. I will however point out that Patrick's T-1000 was explicitly a newer, more improved model compared to Arnold. Patrick's Terminator therefor had a technological edge, which explained his ability to dominate Arnold's T-800 in a fight.

This would not apply to the Kurgan. He's an Immortal, the same basic, "model" as Connor. If he's to present a credible threat to the Highlander, the Kurgan should be physically imposing enough to sell it. Especially as the actor has to follow Clancy Brown's iconic performance. Prime Brown was a beast.

I think @ssBaldy 's suggestion of Alan Ritchson is the best choice.

Ritchson is a great choice. I saw that Ritchie film with him and Cavill and they had a good dynamic, worked well together. Plus Ritchson is an absolute monster. Very imposing.

Crowe as the mentor/Connery role seems pretty damn solid.

The lack of Queen songs might hurt this though…

Weirdly enough, I know Fass is great at playing villains- just a great actor in general really- but I could more see him playing the Lambert part rather than taking on the Clancy Kurgan role.

 

[KnightTemplar]

Ritchson is a great choice. I saw that Ritchie film with him and Cavill and they had a good dynamic, worked well together. Plus Ritchson is an absolute monster. Very imposing.

Crowe as the mentor/Connery role seems pretty damn solid.

The lack of Queen songs might hurt this though…

Weirdly enough, I know Fass is great at playing villains- just a great actor in general really- but I could more see him playing the Lambert part rather than taking on the Clancy Kurgan role.

Agreed. The only problem I have with Crowe is he'd better get his fat ass into a Full Training Camp and be in Maximus shape to play Ramirez.

Fantasy Casting: Fassbender as Connor and Cavil as The Kurgan. Cavil has played Heel before, in the Mission Impossible movie.

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Update: August 7, 2025

Dave Bautista to Play the Villain The Kurgan in Chad Stahelski's HIGHLANDER Remake

Dave Bautista is in final negotiations to play the villain in Amazon MGM’s remake of the 1980s cult classic Highlander.

The actor will join Henry Cavill and Russell Crowe in the action fantasy, which hails from Amazon MGM’s United Artists banner and is slated to get a theatrical release.

Chad Stahelski is directing the feature that is due to begin principal photography at the end of the September and shoot in locales in the UK as well as Hong Kong.

The original Highlander, released in 1986, starred Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, a Medieval Scottish Highlander who discovers he is an immortal warrior. With the help of a swordsman named Ramirez, played by Sean Connery, the titular Highlander battles other immortals across the centuries, culminating in a modern battle in which, like the classic line of dialogue goes, “there can be only one.” The movie went back and forth from various time

In the remake, Cavill is playing MacLeod while Crowe is Ramirez. Industry actress Marisa Abela also has a leading part.

Bautista will have the plum role of the immortal barbarian known as The Kurgen, who has been killing other immortals across the centuries in order to absorb their essence. Clancy Brown memorably played the character in the original movie.

Bautista’s imminent boarding is both a full circle moment and a fancast materializing IRL. Bautista was circling Kurgen back in 2015 when a version was being put together under the direction of Cedric Nicolas-Troyan for Summit Entertainment. In recent months, fans have shipped Cavill and Bautista as opposing immortal warriors in fan-made trailers (look, we’ll to link to one, but it’s just bad.)

Michael Finch wrote the script for the remake. Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt are producing alongside Neal H. Moritz, Stahelski’s 87Eleven Entertainment, Josh Davis of Davis Panzer Productions, and Louise Rosner.

Bautista has been making Amazon one of his prime destinations, with Highlander just the latest feature project for the streamer. He has starred in Amazon action comedies My Spy and its sequel and is in post on action comedy The Wrecking Crew, opposite Jason Momoa. He is also in talks to star in Amazon’s sequel to The Roadhouse.

‘Highlander’: Dave Bautista to Play Villain Opposite Henry Cavill in Amazon MGM’s Remake

There can be only one? Wrong. Bautista will be the second actor to play the part of the raging immortal.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

The casting choices has been on point so far.

And with Chad Stahelski directing this, I'm pretty excited about this one.

 

[Flower2dPeople]

Agreed. The only problem I have with Crowe is he'd better get his fat ass into a Full Training Camp and be in Maximus shape to play Ramirez.

Crowe going to reprise his role as the Spaniard???

 

[Sycho Sid]

Honestly, Bautista takes a bit of the wind out of my sails for this. I like him, but I dunno, he does not seem right for the role. I know he is not playing the Clancy Kurrgan, but Bautista just has never been menacing or scary to me. Big guy, decent actor. But not scary, especially after losing all that weight.

Still hyped for this.