Henry Cavill's Latest Highlander Venture: A Closer Look

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Given his extensive on-screen swordsmanship, Henry Cavill is the ideal candidate to take on the protagonist in the upcoming Highlander remake, a film that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, science fiction, and the supernatural.

The original Highlander movie achieved popularity despite its underwhelming box office performance, largely attributed to its memorable tagline, "There can only be one."

It is advisable to disregard the subsequent installments of the Highlander franchise, which consist of four sequels, three TV shows, and an animated spin-off. These adaptations retell the story of the original film and dismiss any continuity with it.

Henry Cavill, known for his role as Geralt in The Witcher, will now be wielding a different sword as he takes on the lead in the highly anticipated remake of the 1986 cult classic, Highlander. This beloved franchise combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, and the supernatural to craft a captivating story of corruption, hope, and immortal life. Despite its initial box office disappointment, earning only $12 million against its $19 million budget, Highlander's unforgettable tagline, "There can be only one," has made it a prominent fixture in popular culture.

Henry Cavill is the perfect choice for the leading role if the remake stays true to the original story and protagonist, given his impressive on-screen swordsmanship. With its similarity to the action-packed John Wick franchise, Highlander is an ideal fit for Cavill, especially since the director of John Wick, Chad Stahelski, is involved. It's worth noting that there have been four sequels, three TV shows, and an animated spin-off based on Highlander, but these should be disregarded as they deviate from the events of the original film.

What is Highlander About?

Highlander introduces a world much like our own, but with the intriguing addition of immortal beings fated to eliminate one another. These immortals become skilled swordsmen, although the choreography of the '80s may suggest otherwise, as their only means of vanquishing their opponents is through beheading. Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, portrayed by the late Sean Connery, takes on the role of Connor Macleod's mentor and becomes the primary source of information regarding immortals when he arrives in Scotland. Curiously, Ramírez bears a Spanish name despite being originally from Egypt and is played by a Scottish actor who wields a Japanese katana in battle. This fusion of character traits is justified by his eternal existence.

Connor learns that immortals have a strong urge to fight each other until one of them dies. The question arises as to why Ramírez doesn't immediately kill Connor. The film briefly touches on this, implying that there are both good and evil immortals in the world. Ramírez mentions that an evil immortal, like the Kurgan, should not win the prize as it would bring eternal darkness. Instead, Ramírez teaches Connor various ways to protect himself.

But what exactly is this "Prize," and how does one obtain it? Ramírez explains that the prize can only be won when there is only one immortal left, and it represents the combined power of all immortals throughout history.

All About the Gathering and the Quickening

In addition to imparting all of his lessons, Ramírez also disclosed to Connor the ancient tradition of the immortals journeying to a distant land for their ultimate clash, referred to as the Gathering. Surprisingly, this "faraway land" is revealed to be none other than the bustling metropolis of New York City. In the present timeline of the film, set in 1986, Connor leads a seemingly ordinary life as a dealer of antiquities, assuming the identity of Russell Nash. Among the remaining immortals who roam the earth, he is accompanied by Iman Fasil (portrayed by Peter Diamond), Sunda Kastagir (played by Hugh Quarshie), and the formidable Kurgan.

Connor dispatches Fasil early on in the movie and experiences the Quickening, a surge of energy and knowledge that is released from the body of a deceased immortal and absorbed by the victor of the battle. Ramírez also informs Connor that his telepathic communication with animals is another form of the Quickening. The film does not delve deeply into the details of immortal lore, leaving many gaps that are later filled in by future sequels and television adaptations. However, the immediate sequel, Highlander II: The Quickening, drastically alters much of what was established in the original film. It is widely regarded as the worst sequel in the series, with fans suggesting it is best to disregard it entirely. Film critic Roger Ebert even remarked:

How did Highlander End?

The end of the first Highlander film finds Connor and the Kurgan fighting the last clash between immortals. Upon beheading his longtime enemy, Connor exclaims:

I know everything! I am everything!

Connor, the last remaining immortal, attains a unique ability that connects him to all living beings, granting him the power to perceive the thoughts of every person on the planet, akin to Professor Xavier. However, before fully enjoying the benefits of this newfound connection, Connor must face one final battle against the Kurgan, a malevolent immortal who radiates immense darkness and evil. As a result, when the Kurgan perishes, a phenomenon known as the "Dark Quickening" occurs, unleashing a torrent of dark and demonic energy that engulfs Connor. Highlander: The Series later reveals that this energy seeks to corrupt the victorious immortal, but it proves unsuccessful in tainting Connor's inherent goodness.

For Connor, the ultimate reward is attaining mortality, which also grants him the ability to have a family. This prize holds great significance for him, as he has witnessed the passing of time claim the lives of all those he held dear throughout his ten lifetimes. Ultimately, at the conclusion of the film, Connor decides to retire and return to his birthplace in the Scottish highlands, where he can build a fulfilling life with his loved ones. In this endeavor, Connor is not alone, as Brenda, a forensics analyst and metallurgy expert who aided the NYPD in tracking down Connor, chooses to join him on this new path.

The romance between Connor and Brenda feels contrived and obligatory. Their initial encounter was a result of the remnants of his sword found in a parking garage after his fight with Fasil. However, the purpose of their relationship in the movie was to emphasize that Connor doesn't have to witness another loved one age and die while he remains immortal. Unfortunately, the story did not invest enough time in developing their romance into something believable, something that would justify Brenda's willingness to move to Scotland for him. Despite Connor repeatedly saving Brenda from the Kurgan and constantly lying to her about his true identity, the movie concludes with a happily ever after for Connor Macleod. Hopefully, the remake by Henry Cavill will address these issues more effectively than the original 1986 cult classic.

Editor's P/S

Henry Cavill's Highlander promises to be an electrifying cinematic experience, delving into the world of immortals and their ultimate battle for power. The original Highlander movie achieved popularity despite its underwhelming box office performance, largely attributed to its memorable tagline, "There can only be one." It is advisable to disregard the subsequent installments of the Highlander franchise, which consist of four sequels, three TV shows, and an animated spin-off. These adaptations retell the story of the original film and dismiss any continuity with it.

Henry Cavill, known for his role as Geralt in The Witcher, will now be wielding a different sword as he takes on the lead in the highly anticipated remake of the 1986 cult classic, Highlander. This beloved franchise combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, and the supernatural to craft a captivating story of corruption, hope, and immortal life. Despite its initial box office disappointment, earning only $12 million against its $19 million budget, Highlander's unforgettable tagline, "There can be only one," has made it a prominent fixture in popular culture.