It's been quite some time since anything major came out about the upcoming "Highlander" remake. Last we heard, Cedric Nicolas-Troyan (a visual effects artist who's worked on films like "The Ring" and "Pirates of the Caribbean" but without much feature film experience) had been picked as the film's director, with a potential 2014 production and 2015 release.
The dates are a no go, obviously- we're well into 2015 and the cast hasn't been assembled yet. But one actor has! It's been revealed that Dave Bautista may be up for the role of the Kurgan, the film's main villain. The Kurgan was also the villain in the original "Highlander" film- played by Clancy Brown, the Kurgan was another immortal swordsman, like the titular warrior. Only, pretty much pure evil, into murder and torture and all kinds of scumminess.
Now, Bautista's not confirmed for the role just yet- there've been no official announcements, and all this Bautista-as-Kurgan talk is just rumor for now. But is it something that the public- or Bautista- would even want? Interest in the "Highlander" remake is just not that... high (sorry) right now, and Bautista's star is on the rise in a HUGE way. From a minor villain in "Riddick" to a majorly lovable antihero in "Guardians of the Galaxy," to a Bond villain in the upcoming "Spectre."
Bautista might not want to risk his meteoric rise with a remake that nobody really wants to see.
Initially, the "Highlander" reboot was to be directed by "Fast & Furious" franchise director Justin Lin. Lin dropped out and was replaced with "28 Weeks Later" director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, at which point Ryan Reynolds joined the pic. Then, everyone fled, which is about when Nicolas-Troyan came in. And while a "Highlander" reboot with Bautista would be far more inviting than a "Highlander" reboot without Bautista, there's probably better projects to suit his hulking physique and clever comic timing.
Join the Conversation