Russell Crowe & Henry Cavill’s Serendipitous Journey From Schoolboy Meeting To Highlander Reboot

by

Russell Crowe recently shared that he originally met his future “Highlander” co-star, Henry Cavill, when Henry was still a teenager. They previously worked together on “Man of Steel,” where Crowe played Jor-El and Cavill starred as Clark Kent/Superman. Now, more than ten years later, the two are teaming up again for a new version of “Highlander.”

Russell Crowe shared on The Joe Rogan Experience while discussing his new movie, Nuremberg, that he originally met Henry Cavill long before Cavill starred in Man of Steel.

Russell Crowe was filming Proof of Life in 2000, and a scene was being shot at Stowe School in England during a rugby game. He found himself distracted from the filming, constantly watching one of the young players who was exceptionally talented.

While filming was paused, a young Henry Cavill approached Russell Crowe, introduced himself, and asked for advice on becoming an actor. The two chatted for a while before going back to work.

A few days later, Russell Crowe went back to Stowe School for an event honoring the young actor, Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, who played his son in the movie Proof of Life.

I was watching this actor, and he was approached by a rugby player. He started signing a photo for him and learned the player’s name was Henry. The actor wrote a really nice message – it said, To Henry, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and he signed it ‘Russell’.

I’ve known Henry for many years, ever since he was a schoolboy. I first met him while filming ‘Proof of Life’ at Stowe School in England. I was filming a scene with my on-screen son, and noticed a particularly intelligent rugby player during a game in the background. After the scene finished, that player—Henry—walked over to me and simply asked how I got into acting. We had a quick chat before being surrounded by other students. A few days later, I was giving a gift to the boy who played my son in the film, Merlin Hanbury-Tennison.

I was helping a friend, and I had some extra materials left over. I remembered another kid, Henry, and decided to write a quote on a photo from the upcoming movie Gladiator. I wrote to Henry, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,’ and signed it ‘Russell.’ He treasured that photo, carrying it with him through every move and holding onto his dreams.

Years later, while training for Man of Steel at a gym in Illinois, Russell Crowe struck up a conversation with Henry Cavill, who was playing Superman. As they talked, Crowe realized he recognized Cavill – it reminded him of a previous meeting when they both attended Stowe School years ago.

Crowe admitted that the coincidence was “absolutely wild” and “crazy.”

Crowe shared that Cavill always treasured a signed photo Crowe had given him, carrying it with him throughout his life and career, and it helped him “keep his dream alive and burning.”

I ran into Henry Cavill at a gym near Chicago. I was working out on one side, and he was on the other. It struck me – I’m the father of the actor who played Superman, so that must be him! We worked out together for over a week without speaking. Eventually, he came over, shook my hand, and we started chatting. At one point, I asked if I knew him, and he said I did. He reminded me who he was, and I realized it was the Henry Cavill – the Superman actor! It was a really unbelievable encounter, just completely wild.

Henry Cavill suggested Russell Crowe for the role of Ramirez in the upcoming Highlander reboot – Crowe was his top choice. Cavill and Crowe, who previously worked together on Nuremberg, are both excited to collaborate again, anticipating it will be a very enjoyable experience.

We’ve reached a point where he’s essentially the main character, like in Highlander. When asked who should play Ramirez, he immediately said there was only one choice and they absolutely had to get that actor. That’s really exciting, and it’ll be a lot of fun when we finally get to make it happen. This is now the third step in bringing everything together, and it’s going to be fantastic when it all comes to fruition.

Filming for Highlander, starring Crowe and Cavill, has been put on hold. Cavill recently suffered an Achilles tendon rupture, causing the delay.

The world of Highlander began with the 1986 film starring Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod – the same character Henry Cavill will play in a new version – alongside Sean Connery. Since then, it’s grown into a series with four follow-up movies, an animated film, and three TV shows. The first movie tells the story of Connor discovering he can’t die and being drawn into a battle with another immortal warrior.

A new version of Highlander has been in development for years, and many different actors and directors have been considered for the project. The film will feature Russell Crowe, Henry Cavill, Marisa Abela, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Max Zhang, Dave Bautista, and Drew McIntyre. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2026, once Henry Cavill has recovered from an injury.

Nuremerg will be released in theaters on Friday, November 7, 2025.

Read More

2025-11-06 20:30