MOVIE NEWS – Russell Crowe has spent the past several months working hard to prepare physically for the new version of Highlander. Fresh gym photos shared by Drew McIntyre show the Oscar winner in noticeably stronger shape, with both actors flexing for the camera.

During the early 2000s, Russell Crowe was one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars. Gladiator, Robin Hood, and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World demonstrated that he was equally comfortable with dramatic performances and physically demanding roles, but audiences have seen him play traditional action heroes far less frequently in recent years.

The new Highlander adaptation could change that. Crowe is playing Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, the immortal mentor of Connor MacLeod, taking over the role made famous by Sean Connery in the original 1986 movie.

Drew McIntyre shared two new gym images in which he and Crowe pose in matching black tank tops while flexing their arms. The WWE star captioned the photos simply “Gladiator x Warrior,” referencing both Crowe’s most famous character and McIntyre’s own professional wrestling persona.

https://x.com/DMcIntyreWWE/status/2084719427476475905

The Gladiator Is Back in Action Hero Shape

The photos suggest that Crowe has significantly transformed his physique during the past several months. The actor has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to undergo major physical changes for specific roles, and the sword fights and immortal warriors of Highlander have clearly demanded another intensive period of preparation.

McIntyre plays Angus MacLeod, Connor’s brother and the chieftain of Clan MacLeod. The wrestler naturally possesses an extraordinary physical presence, making Crowe’s convincing action-star appearance beside him particularly striking in the new images.

Henry Cavill stars as Connor MacLeod in the movie directed by Chad Stahelski. The cast also includes Marisa Abela, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Djimon Hounsou, and Jeremy Irons, while the story will move between historical Scotland and the modern world.

Early footage has already been shown to audiences at CinemaCon, where reports described the production as essentially “John Wick with swords.” An official release date has not been announced, but current expectations suggest that the new Highlander could reach theaters in 2027.

Source: MovieWeb