This is not the first time that Russell Crowe He plays a man born in the Iberian Peninsula. The first is in fact the role that won him the Oscar, Maximum tenth meridianprodigal son of what, over the centuries, would become Extremadura. However, its next role is now officially set for Spain: Juan Ramirez Sanchez de Villalobos, swordsman and metallurgist at the court of Charles III, co-star of the remake of Highlander (The immortals).
This version of The immortals will arrive throughout the year 2026 and will have, at the helm, Henry Cavill under the direction of Chad Stahelskiresponsible for the saga of John Wick.
The immortals, released in 1986, it is available on Prime Video, Movistar Plus+ and FlixOlé and inspired three sequels: in the second, The challengestill remained Sean Connerywho played Juan Ramírez Sánchez (don’t let the name fool you, since, in its most remote origin, there was ancient Egypt).
However, the only protagonist who was a permanent fixture in the entire franchise was Christophe Lambert whose character he brings to life, in the remake, Henry Cavill.
Russell Crowe makes his dream come true
Asked about his Egyptian swordsman in Highlanders, Russell Crowe was quick to praise Sean Connery: he is not there to modify his plan or correct anyone’s interpretation, even less that of a cinema legend like the Scotsman. What Russell Crowe did was remember the day when Ridley Scott I looked him in the eyes and told him not to do it on the set of Gladiator.
As soon as Crowe learned that his character was of Spanish descent (if one is lax enough with the demonym to attribute it to someone born in 180 AD), New Zealand actor suggested Ridley Scott add a Spanish accent to his performance. “Like Antonio Banderas, but with slightly better diction,” joked Russell Crowe.
Ridley Scott, known for imposing English in his historical dramas (not when it was usual, but in two dramas as recent and therefore abnormal as The last duel And Napoleonin addition to Gladiator II), shook his head. “No way you’re doing that“, he told Russell Crowe, who ended up winning the Oscar. This story therefore has a double happy ending: Scott succeeded and Crowe, two and a half decades later too, since now he will be able to speak Spanish to his liking with Highlander.