It looks like one of the final major pieces of the Highlander reboot is falling into place with the news that Djimon Hounsou has joined the cast. Maybe that should be ‘kast’ as the first indications are that the actor could be playing the role of Sunda Kastagir – or at least a compatible character (given that we still are not sure if characters’ names and origins will remain the same as in the original tale).
Hounsou’s breakthrough role was as Cinque in the acclaimed Amistad, the 1997 film which chronicled the fortunes and misfortunes of African slaves who attempted to assert their freedom when they arrived by ship in the early days of America. Since then the actor has established a solid career in notable roles in films such as Constantine, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, The Tempest (as Caliban), Blood Diamond, Black Adam, Rebel Moon and A Quiet Place: Day One. It’s interesting casting as – like Gillan and Bautista, Hounsou appeared in the Guardians of the Galaxy and the actor also appeared in Crowe’s Gladiator.
In the 1986 original, where actor Hugh Quarshie essayed the role, Kastagir was an Immortal, born in Ethiopia in AD 1715 and was, for the most part, an ally of Connor MacLeod. We see the two Immortals as friends, meeting up and far from fighting to the death, they go out clubbing and socialising in 80s’ New York. Wider mythology says that Kastagir met the Kurgan in 1750 and managed to survive, but unfortunately (forty-year spoiler warning!) Kastagir doesn’t survive his more modern encounter with his enemy.
As previously reported, the current reboot will be made for Amazon Studios (with the plans for a theatrical release), directed by John Wick‘s Chad Stahelski from a script written by Michael Finch (John Wick: Chapter 4, Predators). The announced cast now includes: Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan and Marisa Abela.
