Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

Alasdair Stuart has fun with the latest behind the scene shot from Highlander…

I cannot fully articulate how much the new stills from the Highlander reboot made me giggle, but I’m going to have fun trying.

First, the vibe, the VIBE! The John Wick lighting is a pleasant surprise, but the image of these two very, very large men just kind of hanging out between takes and eyeing the camera is just oddly charming. And, odds are, has already spawned lots of fanfic.

Then there’s what this tells us. Cavill’s rocking a hoodie and a waist length leather jacket and it’s not the big fur collared affairs we’ve seen him in in the other stills. That says present day to me. Also given the logo on the sleeve, which looks a lot like the Legendary logo, it’s possible that’s just a real-world garment he’s wearing because it’s cold. But what Bautista is wearing is what really blew me away and confused me.

That’s the Kurgan, noted immortal doombringer, dressed as a Priest. Given Holy Ground is regarded as neutral territory in Highlander, this opens some seriously fun possibilities:

1) The Kurgan gets ordained so he can enter holy ground with impunity and murder Immortals

The Kurgan’s always been a ‘out is through’ problem solver and this has that same punkish energy.

2) The Kurgan retires from The Game

What if he quits? What if he’s entirely sincere in joining a religion? He’s immortal. That’s a lot of time to fill, especially when you tip over from sinner to penitent. That’s ground the franchise has worked before, more than once, very successfully most notably with TV series character Methos. It’d be a lovely twist for the Kurgan and maybe give more direct energy to Irons’ villainous Watcher figure. What if the Kurgan is brought out of retirement to fight McLeod, because the Watchers think he’s a threat? What if he’s innocent? Ish? What if they TEAM UP?!

3) I am wrong about everything

ALWAYS a possibility especially given how old fashioned the coat looks. Maybe this is a flashback scene where McLeod and the Kurgan clash in a church. Maybe he’s wearing the collar for kicks. Who knows?!

Either way I am very very intrigued. More so than before and I was pretty intrigued already! The movie’s shooting now, in London.