HIGHLANDER Lets Russell Crowe Do What GLADIATOR Didn’t

In an interview with 60 minutes Australia, Crowe lightheartedly laughs while explaining the ridiculous background of Connery’s character.

“The character’s name is Ramirez and Sean played the character brilliantly, obviously, as a Scotsman,” Crowe said. “But they explain the reason that Ramirez, the Spaniard, had a Scottish accent in the movie by saying that earlier he came from Egypt!” Of course, as we all know, Connery is infamous for his thick Scottish accent that seems to accompany him no matter the role.

Crowe draws a connection to a similar exchange he had with Ridley Scott during early rehearsal for Gladiator. Because his character, Maximus, is actually a Spaniard rather than a Roman, Crowe proposed that he should use a Spanish accent for the role. “Like Antonio Banderas with slightly better elocution,” he said.

Scott’s blunt response: “There’s no f---in’ way that you’re doing that.” The actor chuckled as he explains that they eventually settled on an accent he dubs “Royal Shakespeare Company two pints after lunch.”

Crowe went on to claim the Oscar for Best Actor for Gladiator. He assures us that his role in Highlander will be no repeat of the past. Director Chad Stahelski is fully on board with a Spanish accent. “‘If you bring me Spanish, I will take Spanish.’ So I’m gonna do Ramirez as a Spaniard. We shall see,” Crowe said.

Joining Cavill and Crowe is Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Marisa Abela, Djimon Hounsou, Max Zhang, and WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre. Production has been delayed until 2026 while Cavill recovers from an injury he sustained while training on set. Check back for more updates.