Gladiator x Warrior: Russell Crowe and Drew McIntyre Flex Their ‘Highlander’ Gains in New Gym Photos
Movie transformations have become as much a part of blockbuster marketing as trailers themselves, with fans tracking every visible bicep and six-pack as proof that a film is taking shape behind the scenes. The upcoming ‘Highlander‘ reboot has been no exception, generating buzz for months as its stacked ensemble cast prepares for a story built around swordplay, immortality, and old-school action spectacle.
Henry Cavill leads that ensemble as Connor MacLeod, the role originally made famous by Christopher Lambert, and his own well-documented commitment to physical transformation has set a high bar for his co-stars. That pressure appears to be paying off, judging by the latest glimpse fans got into the film’s cast getting into fighting shape together.
Former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre shared new gym photos featuring himself alongside Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe, both flexing their arms in matching black tank tops. McIntyre posted the image on X with the caption “Gladiator x Warrior,” tagging Crowe directly. In the photo, the two are seen posing in a gym, flexing their biceps and showing off their physical conditioning.
The caption itself doubles as a clever nod to both men’s most iconic personas. It referenced Crowe’s legendary role as Maximus in ‘Gladiator’ alongside McIntyre’s WWE nickname, “The Scottish Warrior.” McIntyre shared the photo while the two were filming in Spain for their other joint project, ‘The Last Druid.
Fans online had plenty to say about the pairing. One commenter wrote that seeing “my favorite wrestler and one of my favorite actors working out together” was a treat, while another simply called it “Goat getting those gains.” The reactions underscore just how much anticipation has built around both projects even before official footage has surfaced.
Crowe’s involvement in ‘Highlander’ has been tracked closely by fans since he joined the film. He’s playing Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, the immortal mentor role originally made iconic by Sean Connery in the 1986 original, opposite Cavill’s Connor MacLeod. The two actors previously shared the screen in ‘Man of Steel,’ where Crowe played a warrior version of Jor-El, Superman’s father.
McIntyre’s own casting rounds out a lineup that has been assembling gradually. He plays Angus, Connor MacLeod’s brother, joining a cast that includes Dave Bautista as The Kurgan, Karen Gillan, Marisa Abela, Jeremy Irons, Djimon Hounsou, and Max Zhang.
The ‘Highlander’ remake has had a famously bumpy road to production. Filming was previously delayed after Cavill suffered an injury during pre-production training, pushing the start of shooting into early 2026. Chad Stahelski, known for directing the ‘John Wick’ franchise, is at the helm, bringing his reputation for hands-on, physically demanding action filmmaking to the project.
McIntyre and Crowe’s on-screen partnership doesn’t end with ‘Highlander.’ The two are also set to appear together in the historical action drama ‘The Last Druid,’ directed by William Eubank. The film centers on a Roman Emperor who discovers a secluded Druid stronghold hidden in the mountains of Caledonia.
McIntyre’s acting career has picked up steam since he stepped away from WWE following a loss to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 42, and he wrapped filming on ‘Highlander’ in Scotland before moving on to ‘The Last Druid.’ For a performer once defined purely by the squared circle, the gym photo with Crowe signals just how far that Hollywood pivot has come.
Are you excited to see Russell Crowe and Drew McIntyre in Highlander?
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