d++ Henry Cavill Shares Poem and Recovery Update After Injury Delays Highlander Reboot
Henry Cavill has reassured fans after an injury halted production on the long-awaited Highlander reboot, sharing a personal update — and a defiant poem — while recovering at home with his beloved dog, Baggins.
The actor, best known for his roles as Superman and Geralt of Rivia, posted on Instagram on September 19, showing photos of his bandaged leg and bruised foot alongside the full text of William Ernest Henley’s poem Invictus. Cavill didn’t directly mention the production delay but signaled determination to return stronger, closing with Henley’s iconic final line: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
A Setback for a Major Fantasy Epic
Production on director Chad Stahelski’s Highlander reboot has been pushed back to 2026 following Cavill’s leg injury during training. The setback is a blow for a project that has been in development for more than a decade. Cavill signed on to play immortal Scottish warrior Connor MacLeod in 2021, stepping into a role once made famous by Christopher Lambert in the cult classic 1986 film.
The cast for Stahelski’s reimagining is stacked with talent, including Karen Gillan, Russell Crowe, Marisa Abela, Djimon Hounsou, Max Zhang, and Dave Bautista as the formidable Kurgan. Screenwriter Michael Finch (Predators, Hitman: Agent 47) penned the script, with Stahelski promising fans at CinemaCon that the film would “go deep into the meat of these characters and their trials and tribulations.”
Cavill, a longtime fan of the franchise, had previously teased that the swordplay in this version would surpass anything audiences had seen from him before: “If you thought you saw me do sword work before, you ain’t seen nothing yet!”
An Actor Familiar With Recovery
This isn’t Cavill’s first major on-set injury. While filming season two of Netflix’s The Witcher, he tore his hamstring during a chase scene, forcing production delays and script adjustments. At the time, Cavill admitted he worried about how injuries might affect his career as an action star.
“The difficulty was working while I was injured,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. “I wanted to do more for the production… but if I tear this further, it’s the end of my action career.”
His latest post suggests he’s taking recovery seriously while staying optimistic. Friends and collaborators also rallied in the comments — Jason Momoa wrote, “Sorry bro. Get some much deserved rest,” while Warhammer 40k designer Darren Lathan joked, “Warhammer, the great healer,” referencing Cavill’s passion project adapting the tabletop franchise for television.
Fans Rally as Highlander Waits
Despite the delay, enthusiasm for Highlander remains strong. The franchise — known for its mix of fantasy lore, epic sword battles, and the famous line “There can be only one” — has a devoted following eager to see Stahelski’s modern take.
Cavill’s decision to share the full Invictus poem struck a chord online, with many fans praising the actor’s resilience and positivity. While production will now take longer than planned, the reboot is still expected to reach audiences in 2027.
For now, Cavill appears focused on healing — and on proving, as the poem declares, that he remains “the captain” of his soul and career.
