Henry Cavill's 'Highlander Reboot' Gets An Academy Award Winner Power-up Amidst Increasing Excitement

Published 09/30/2025, 9:44 PM EDT

The anticipation for the Highlander remake, starring Henry Cavill as the immortal swordsman Connor MacLeod, is at a fever pitch, promising a spectacular re-imagining of the cult classic. Adding to this already star-studded lineup, news has recently broken that the film has secured an acclaimed, Academy Award-winning actor to play a role in the shadowy organization in the dark world of the Highlander remake.

This latest casting coup has movie buffs buzzing, but just who is the Oscar winner joining Henry Cavill in the battle for the Quickening?

Who has joined the immortals’ world in the Highlander reboot?

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In this highly anticipated remake, Jeremy Irons has been cast as an antagonist, according to The Hollywood Reporter. His character is the head of a clandestine organization known as The Watchers, a group dedicated to observing the immortals and viewing them as a danger to mankind. The star-studded ensemble, led by Henry Cavill, already features major actors such as Russell Crowe, Marisa Abela, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Djimon Hounsou.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the planned remake of Highlander, a collaboration between Amazon, MGM Studios' United Artists, and director Chad Stahelski, encountered a setback. Although filming was initially slated to begin this fall, production was postponed until 2026. This necessary delay occurred because Henry Cavill, who is cast as the lead character Connor MacLeod, sustained an injury during the pre-production phase. However, the temporary delay has not stopped the momentum of the project, which continues to strengthen its phenomenal cast with the addition of celebrated actors like Jeremy Irons.

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Jeremy Irons is a worthy choice to menace the immortals, owing to his extensive history of performing nuanced and memorable antagonists.

The villainous prowess of Jeremy Irons

The addition of Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons to the villainous ranks promises a profound depth of conflict. His Academy Award-winning performance in Reversal of Fortune as Claus von Bulow is an iconic example of his chilling composure and noble menace, perfectly suited for a secretive and powerful organization leader. This dramatic depth promises a sophisticated villain for Cavill’s heroic figure.

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Jeremy Irons has perfected the art of voicing eloquent yet sinister villains, most famously as the voice of Scar in the animated Disney classic The Lion King. Furthermore, his portrayal of Simon Gruber, the cunning bomber in Die Hard With a Vengeance, showcased his capacity for theatrical, large-scale villainy in a major action franchise. These roles solidify his reputation as an actor who can bring a formidable presence to any antagonist. Until its 2026 release, viewers can certainly hook into other sword-and-sorcery action films of the same genre.

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According to you, Will Jeremy Irons justify the role of antagonist in the remake of Highlander? Let us know in the comments below.

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Soma Mitra

396 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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