Though screen legend Sean Connery made the role of Juan Sánchez Villalobos Ramírez a memorable addition to his exhaustive and iconic resume, the role in the Highlander reboot was one that seemed open to diverse potential. Many, many names have been suggested over the years since the idea of bringing Highlander back to the big screen was originally touted. A-List names (men and women) were mentioned and it seemed a role that could be reinterpreted in any number of ways – ‘simply’ needing a performer with enough gravitas and presence to escape Connery’s shadow and make it their own.
It would appear that the role in the new film (to be directed by Chad Stahelski from a screenplay by Michael Finch) has gone to another screen legend… Russell Crowe. Though the reveal of his name is spreading fast, it’s interesting that there has not yet been official confirmation that his participation is in the role of Ramirez, though it seems almost a foregone conclusion that Crowe will essay the mentor role to the central character (presumed to be Connor MacLeod, originally played by Christopher Lambert in the 1986 film). Some others have suggested he could be playing MacLeod’s enemy the Kurgan (originally Clancy Brown), though names such as Dave Bautista seem more in line with that role.
Crowe is, of course, a dynamic screen presence, famous for key roles in the likes of Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind and LA Confidential. He also voiced the role of Jor-El in Zack Snyder’s Justice League in which Henry Cavill (now cast for the Highlander reboot) played Kal-El aka Superman, so -once again – he may be playing a mentor role to Cavill…
