Dave Bautista Lands ‘The Immortals’ Villain Role, Completing Full-Circle Casting for Reboot
London, UK – July 26, 2024 – Dave Bautista is set to star as The Kurgan in the highly anticipated reboot of the Immortals, a role he was initially considered for a decade ago.The news confirms fan speculation following reports from The Hollywood Reporter and marks a important casting completion for the Amazon MGM Studios project, currently slated to begin filming in September.
The journey to resurrecting the Immortals has been lengthy. Originally conceived as a remake in 2015, producers at the time explored Bautista – then rising to prominence after his wrestling career – for the villainous role of The Kurgan. While that iteration stalled, Bautista’s acting career has flourished, showcasing his range in films like The Last Showgirl and Lost Lands, and perhaps landing him a role alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in a Road House sequel directed by Ilya Naishuller.
Now, a decade later, bautista will embody the iconic immortal murderer previously portrayed by Clancy brown in the 1986 original. This casting decision follows a groundswell of support from fans who actively campaigned for Bautista’s return to the project.
Chad Stahelski, fresh off completing the John Wick tetralogy, is directing the reboot. He’s tasked with updating the story of Scottish warriors blessed – and cursed – with immortality, battling across centuries. the film will feature Henry Cavill as Connor Macleod and Russell crowe as his mentor, Ramírez, roles originally played by Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery, respectively. Marisa abela, known for her portrayal of Amy Winehouse in Back to Black, also joins the cast in a key role.
Filming is scheduled to take place across the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, with Amazon MGM Studios aiming for a theatrical release. The original The Immortals,directed by Russell Mulcahy,spawned several sequels and a prequel,but Stahelski’s vision intends to honor the spirit of the 1986 film while delivering a modern cinematic experience. The reboot promises to revisit the core themes of immortality, fate, and the eternal struggle between good and evil, introducing a new generation to the world of the Immortals.
