There Can Be Only... Two MacLeods? WWE's Drew McIntyre Joins Cavill in Highlander Reboot
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Jeff's excited (and gently skeptical) about the *Highlander* reboot starring Henry Cavill and now WWE's Drew McIntyre as his brother, pondering the blend of muscle, magic, and potential franchise building under *John Wick*'s Chad Stahelski, despite Cavill's recent injury.
Right then, buckle up, mates, because the rumour mill has been churning like a portal to another dimension, and we’ve got some proper news out of the mystical lands of Hollywood – specifically, the reboot of *Highlander*. You know the one, Queen soundtrack, swords, immortal warriors, and a constant existential dread about beheading. Well, it seems Henry Cavill isn't going to be facing the immortal struggle alone. In fact, he's getting some serious muscle-bound backup, and perhaps a touch of sibling rivalry, from none other than WWE superstar Drew McIntyre.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Another reboot? And a WWE star? Cue the gentle groans of skepticism. But stick with me on this one, because this particular casting choice has a few fascinating wrinkles that might just make it work. This whole wild tale of immortal sword-slingers and muscled Scotsmen comes to us originally from Wesley Yin-Poole over at IGN South Africa, who first dropped the news about Drew McIntyre's casting. The Scottish psychopath himself, Drew McIntyre, is reportedly stepping into the role of Angus MacLeod – the brother to Cavill’s own MacLeod. Yes, you heard that right. Not a cousin, like in the original cult classic, but a *brother*. Talk about shaking up the family tree!
It's not exactly unprecedented, is it, seeing wrestlers make the leap to the big screen? From Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to John Cena and even Dave Bautista (who, funnily enough, is also in this *Highlander* reboot, more on that shortly!), the squared circle has become a surprisingly fertile training ground for action stars. McIntyre, hailing from Ayrshire, Scotland, brings an authentic Scottish brogue and, let’s be fair, a physical presence that could probably cleave a solid oak table in half, never mind a fellow immortal. He even made his acting debut earlier this year in *The Killer's Game* alongside his fellow WWE champ, Bautista, so he’s not entirely new to this wizardry.
My inner digital wizard is wondering: is this a stroke of genius casting for genuine gravitas and action chops, or a move designed purely to get the wrestling demographic hyped? Maybe a bit of both, eh? There's a subtle art to transitioning from choreographed combat to cinematic swordplay, and while McIntyre is a titan in the ring, the nuances of a centuries-old immortal are a different beast entirely. Still, it's intriguing, like watching a spell go off in an unexpected but potentially brilliant way.
And then there’s Henry Cavill, our veritable gaming hero, who's been attached to this project for yonks. The man practically lives and breathes fantasy and action, and his dedication to the physical roles he embodies is legendary – think *The Witcher*’s Geralt of Rivia, where his sword work was already next-level. He even took to Instagram back in 2021, saying he’d been a fan of *Highlander* since he was a lad, praising its “80s, Queen slathered glory.” Sounds like a bloke who genuinely gets it, which is always a good sign. He promised us even more impressive sword skills than *The Witcher*, saying, “If you thought you’d seen me do swordwork before, you haven't seen anything yet.” My inner gamer just did a little excited jig.
But, as with any grand quest, there have been a few bumps in the road. And by bumps, I mean a fairly significant one. Earlier this month, our dear Cavill, ever the dedicated professional, suffered a leg injury while training for *Highlander*. Bloody hell! This has unfortunately pushed back production into early 2026. It's a real bummer, mate, not just for Cavill, but for everyone eager to see this reboot come to life. It also reminds us that even heroes (and actors playing heroes) are still mortal, at least when it comes to dodgy ligaments. Here's hoping for a swift and full recovery, because we're genuinely excited to see him swing those legendary blades.
At the helm of this ambitious undertaking is Chad Stahelski, the visionary director behind the *John Wick* franchise. Now, *that* gets my attention. If anyone knows how to choreograph breathtaking, visceral action sequences and build a compelling, mythic world, it's Stahelski. He's proven he can blend elegant martial arts with gritty realism, which sounds like precisely what *Highlander* needs.
Stahelski spilled a few beans last November, revealing the film is set "beyond present-day New York and Hong Kong." Cavill is slated to play a sword master who’s been alive for over 500 years, training in "all sorts of martial arts along the way." My mind immediately conjures images of ancient dojos, hidden mountain retreats, and perhaps even a brief stint in a VR training simulation if the "beyond present-day" goes that far – though I reckon they'll keep it to traditional blades for the most part.
He described it as a "bit of a love story, but not how you think," and mentioned learning how to "bend the storytelling a little" from his *John Wick* experience. A love story, eh? Is it a love for immortality? A love for the thrill of the hunt? Or just a truly unconventional romance that only a 500-year-old could understand? Sounds cautiously intriguing, mate, but also like typical Hollywood director-speak to hint at depth without giving too much away. My skepticism radar pings gently, but my enthusiasm for Stahelski's action prowess keeps it from going full siren.
Stahelski also hinted at grander plans, suggesting this reboot could be the start of something big. He wants it to be "a bit of a prequel, a setup to The Gathering, so we have room to grow the property." Ah, The Gathering! For those who've not delved into the lore, it's the ultimate showdown where the remaining immortals are drawn to a distant land to fight for the Prize. It's the "there can be only one" endgame. Setting up a prequel sounds like a classic move to build a cinematic universe, which can be either brilliant or incredibly tiring. On one hand, more *Highlander* could be epic. On the other, let's nail the first one before we start thinking about a whole saga, eh? It's like building an amazing character in an MMO, only to find the developers are already planning twenty expansions before the first raid is even out.
Speaking of lore, the original 1986 *Highlander* film, a true cult classic, starred Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, trained by Sean Connery’s Ramírez. It masterfully jumped between 16th-century Scottish Highlands and 80s New York, a narrative structure I hope the reboot embraces. But here’s a tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it detail that my clever observations are picking up on: in the original, James Cosmo played Angus MacLeod, who was Connor's *cousin*, not his brother. The source article notes that they're "still not sure exactly which MacLeod Cavill will play," which adds another layer of intriguing ambiguity. This subtle shift from cousin to brother for Drew McIntyre’s character could be minor, or it could fundamentally alter the core dynamic. Family bonds, even immortal ones, tend to carry a bit more weight than familial associations, don't they? It's a small change, but it could lead to some big dramatic payoffs – or, dare I say, some bloody good sword fights between siblings.
Beyond Cavill and McIntyre, the cast list for this reboot is absolutely stacked, making it feel less like a simple film and more like a cinematic royal rumble. We’ve got Russell Crowe (reportedly), Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, the aforementioned Dave Bautista, Marisa Abela, and Max Zhang. That’s a whole lot of talent, a fair few action veterans, and frankly, an awful lot of muscle packed into one film. It’s a roster that promises a blend of dramatic weight and serious physical prowess. My optimism is starting to outweigh my skepticism a bit here; with this kind of ensemble, it's hard not to get a little excited about the potential for epic clashes.
So, why should a curious gamer care about this *Highlander* reboot, especially with all its behind-the-scenes drama and casting choices? Well, for starters, it’s Henry Cavill in a fantasy action role, wielding swords with a dedication that few others can match. That alone is enough to pique the interest of anyone who's spent countless hours questing in *The Witcher 3* or dreaming of a decent Superman game. Then there’s Stahelski, who has a proven track record of delivering stylish, impactful action. And finally, it’s *Highlander*, a beloved franchise that, despite some shaky sequels, holds a special place in the hearts of many for its unique blend of history, fantasy, and rock music.
It’s about seeing a classic given a modern polish by people who genuinely seem to care about the source material (Cavill's enthusiasm is infectious, mate). It’s about the potential for a really solid action film that actually delivers on its promises. Yes, there are always risks with reboots, especially with such iconic properties. But with this particular cocktail of talent, dedication, and a healthy dash of unpredictability (WWE stars as immortal siblings, anyone?), I reckon this *Highlander* might just cut through the noise.
So, while Henry Cavill recovers from his training injury, and Drew McIntyre presumably practices his immortal scowl, we'll be here, waiting with bated breath and a gently skeptical eye. Will there truly be "only one" MacLeod who stands supreme, or will this reboot carve out enough space for a whole new generation of immortal legends? Only time, and a whole lot of sword fights, will tell. But for now, the prospect of Cavill and McIntyre clashing blades as immortal brothers? Fair dinkum, that's a prospect wild enough to get my digital wizard staff glowing.
Tags: Highlander Reboot, Henry Cavill, Drew McIntyre, Action Film, Fantasy Epic
Original article: IGN South Africa