'Highlander' Movie Reboot Rumors: Dave Bautista to Play Villain Role

Dave Bautista, aka Batista, must be a happy actor right now, with news going viral that he will play The Kurgan, the villain in Summit Entertainment's "Highlander."

Bautista might have impressed the film studio after appearing in "Guardians of the Galaxy" because he is being tipped to play the main role in the movie's reboot, reported Latino Review in an exclusive report.

That's something to make him busy after his stint as the assassin Mr. Hinx in "Spectre" -- or Bond 24 -- the report added.

The original "Highlander" movie was released in 1986 starring Christopher Lambert as the main actor, the report added. The reboot will be the directorial debut of Cedric Nicolas Troyan, a visual effects artist.

It was originally directed by Russell Mulcahy, noted Screen Rant.

"Highlander" tells the story of the Immortals, who are engaged in an endless battle with one another because of the rule that if they kill one of their own -- only by cutting the heads off -- the powers of the murdered are channelled to the victor, IMDb explained.

Born in the Highlands of Scotland in 1518, MacLeod (played by Lambert) finds out that he is an Immortal after being banished by his village after surviving a fatal wound in 1536, according to the website.

Five years on his own, Macleod meets Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery), also an Immortal, who teaches him to use the sword, it added. He is killed by The Kurgan (originally played by Clancy Brown), whose lust for "The Prize" -- the power to rule the earth forever -- makes him merciless.

The in-fighting continues through to 1985, when the Immortals are called to New York for "The Gathering," where they face each other until only one remains, IMDb noted.

The movie made several sequels and even a television series, Latino Review said. The Kurgan's story was expanded in films and novels that followed the movie, and then the 1990s TV show, said Screen Rant, explaining that the greed had a background -- a matter that was not present in the 1986 release.

Screen Rant added that Bautista had already proven to fans that, aside from having an imposing build, he could pull off the evil laugh, as Drax in "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Latino Review quoted Troyan on his characterization for the movie: "We have to find that younger emerging guy, and surround him with a strong Kurgan, and an actor who shines as Ramirez the way Connery did in that film film."

The outlet thinks Bautista might be a perfect fit for the menacing character, but it still has no idea who will take the leading role, formerly for Ryan Reynolds. In another report, Screen Rant noted that the mentor role was offered to Tom Cruise.

The previous Screen Rant report is assuming that The Kurgan may be rendered as a straight-faced character, but still with sprinklings of humor.

Developments have been fast for the cult classic, noted Empire Online.