Scottish actress Karen Gillan, best known for her roles in Doctor Who and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, is set to bring her Highland roots to the big screen in Amazon MGM’s highly anticipated remake of the cult classic Highlander. The news, confirmed on August 22, 2025, has sent a ripple of excitement through fans of the original film and newcomers alike, as Gillan joins an already star-studded cast in a project that promises both nostalgia and fresh energy.
Gillan will portray Heather, the mortal wife and lifelong love of protagonist Connor MacLeod. The role, pivotal in the 1986 original, is steeped in emotion and tragedy—Heather’s fate underscoring the bittersweet cost of immortality. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Gillan’s casting marks the first time a Scot has taken a major role in the franchise since Sean Connery’s iconic turn as Ramirez. "My dialect coach can sit this one out…so excited to be an actual Highlander in ‘Highlander’!!!" Gillan quipped on Instagram, poking fun at her authentic Inverness accent and her personal connection to the Scottish Highlands.
Gillan, now 37, is not just returning home for work—she plans to bring her baby daughter Clementine, born in December 2024, along for the ride. Speaking to the BBC, Gillan shared, “I am going to have to figure it out because I refuse to be parted with her. I am more likely to take a job if it films in Scotland. I’m always looking for reasons to come to Scotland. I think my next job is going to be in Scotland so she will be seeing it soon. I can take her to Eden Court Theatre—and I want to take her to the pantomime in Inverness—that’s my biggest dream.”
Joining Gillan is Henry Cavill, who leads the reboot as Connor MacLeod. Cavill, renowned for his roles in The Witcher and as Superman, has been preparing for the part since at least 2021. He revealed on Instagram, “I've been a fan of Highlander since I was a lad. From the movies in all of their 80s, Queen slathered glory to the TV show with an actor who looked remarkably like one of my brothers. Being not shy with swords, and having a director as talented as Chad Stahelski at the helm, this is an opportunity like no other. Deep diving into franchise storytelling with all the tools at our disposal, is going to make this an adventure I (and hopefully all of you) shall never forget.”
The film’s formidable lineup also includes Russell Crowe as Ramirez, Dave Bautista as the menacing Kurgan, and Marisa Abela in a brand-new lead role—an immortal warrior and swordplay teacher, who is one of MacLeod’s past loves. The reboot is helmed by Chad Stahelski, the director behind the John Wick franchise, and is slated for a theatrical release. According to multiple sources including Cosmic Book News and The National, principal photography will kick off at the end of September 2025, with filming set to begin in Scotland before moving to Los Angeles.
The original Highlander, released in 1986, starred French actor Christopher Lambert as the immortal Scottish clansman Connor MacLeod, and Sean Connery as his Egyptian mentor, Ramirez. The film chronicled a centuries-long battle among immortals, culminating in a dramatic showdown in modern-day New York. Though it initially flopped at the box office, the movie became a cult phenomenon thanks to home video and DVD sales, spawning four sequels and three television series. Its unique casting choices—Lambert learning his lines phonetically and Connery delivering his signature Edinburgh brogue—have become part of the film’s quirky legacy.
Filming locations for the original included some of Scotland’s most breathtaking sites: Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Coe, Glen Nevis, Loch Shiel, Torridon, and Skye. The new production aims to honor these roots, with much of the reboot’s principal photography taking place in the Highlands. For Gillan, the chance to work in her homeland is especially meaningful, given her strong ties to Inverness and her recent marriage to Nick Kocher at Castle Toward in Argyll in 2022.
Director Chad Stahelski has made no secret of his ambitions for the franchise. In August 2023, he told The National, “I think we have some very good elements now. The trick is when you have the tagline ‘there can only be one’, you can’t just kill everybody the first time. Our story engages a lot of the same characters and stuff like that. But we’ve also brought in elements of all the TV shows, and we’re trying to do a bit of a prequel, a setup to The Gathering, so we have room to grow the property.”
Marisa Abela’s addition as an immortal warrior and teacher signals a broader narrative scope, blending familiar faces with fresh characters. The creative team has indicated that the reboot will pull from not only the original film but also the various television adaptations, promising both long-time fans and new audiences an expansive and modernized mythology.
Gillan’s career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. She first rose to fame as Amy Pond in Doctor Who before making the leap to Hollywood, where she has become one of the industry’s most sought-after talents. Her roles as Nebula in the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy series, as well as Ruby Roundhouse in the Jumanji franchise, have cemented her status as a blockbuster star. Most recently, she appeared in Neon’s The Life of Chuck, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was honored with the People’s Choice Award.
For Henry Cavill, the opportunity to play MacLeod is a chance to connect with his own Scottish heritage and delve into a legendary role. His preparation and enthusiasm, coupled with Stahelski’s action expertise and the fresh energy brought by Gillan and the rest of the cast, have raised expectations for a reboot that could launch a new era for the franchise.
As principal photography approaches, fans are eager to see how the new Highlander will balance the emotional depth of the original with modern storytelling and action. With a cast that bridges Hollywood glamour and authentic Scottish heritage, and a director known for redefining action cinema, the stage is set for a revival that could, much like its predecessor, become a classic in its own right.
With filming set to begin soon and anticipation building, the new Highlander promises to be both a homecoming for Gillan and a bold leap forward for a beloved saga.
