Drew McIntyre believes his work on the upcoming Highlander film has given him a major boost of confidence as he looks toward opportunities beyond the wrestling ring.
The WWE star is part of a high-profile cast for the new Highlander, a project expected to arrive in theaters in either 2027 or 2028. McIntyre will appear alongside Henry Cavill, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista and Russell Crowe, with Chad Stahelski directing. Stahelski’s resume includes all four John Wick movies, giving the production a filmmaker closely associated with elaborate action staging and a distinctive visual approach.
For McIntyre, the experience was not simply an opportunity to join a major movie. It was also a chance to observe accomplished actors and filmmakers at work, learn from them directly and test himself in a different professional environment. He said that being surrounded by that group reinforced his belief that acting can become a meaningful part of his future when the time is right.
“First of all, it was amazing obviously working with Chad and with Henry. Kevin McKidd as well, he’s also from a small town in Scotland and went to America, was on Grey’s Anatomy for 20 years. I learned a lot from everybody around me and it really filled me with confidence and made me believe I can make a career in this world when it’s time.”
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A Significant Production for McIntyre
Highlander represents a notable acting assignment for McIntyre because of the scope of the project and the people involved. Cavill, Gillan, Bautista and Crowe bring extensive film experience to the cast, while Stahelski has developed a reputation for action-focused filmmaking through his work on the John Wick franchise. McIntyre specifically highlighted the value of working with Stahelski, Cavill and Kevin McKidd.
McKidd’s presence carried particular meaning for McIntyre. Both men are from small towns in Scotland, and McIntyre pointed to McKidd’s long-running work on Grey’s Anatomy as an example of someone who made a successful move to the American entertainment industry. That kind of shared background appears to have made the experience especially encouraging for the WWE performer.
Professional wrestling and film acting demand different skills, even if they can share some common ground. Wrestlers perform in front of large live audiences, communicate character through physicality and emotion, and work within the pressure of television broadcasts and premium live events. A film set, however, brings a different rhythm, technical process and collaboration with a director, crew and fellow cast members. McIntyre’s comments suggest he approached the Highlander production as a learning experience rather than merely a celebrity crossover appearance.
His emphasis on gaining confidence is also notable. McIntyre has spent years developing one of WWE’s most imposing presences, with a presentation built around physical intensity, direct promos and major-match credibility. But confidence in an established wrestling role is different from entering a film project populated by veteran actors and a director with a proven action-film track record. McIntyre said the people around him helped make that transition feel possible.
Chad Stahelski’s Detail-Oriented Approach
McIntyre also spoke enthusiastically about the scale and care behind the movie, particularly when it came to its action material. Stahelski’s background as a high-level stuntman was a key part of McIntyre’s description of the director’s process. That experience has long informed the action sensibility associated with Stahelski’s films, and McIntyre expects audiences to recognize that attention to detail when Highlander is released.
“Everyone’s going to be blown away by this movie, it was such a production. Every scene was just incredible and how particular Chad is with his movies and with the action scenes, being a former high level stuntman himself. It’s going to be incredible.”
That is a strong endorsement from someone who saw the production from inside it. McIntyre did not reveal plot details, character details or a firm release date, but he made clear that the filmmaking process left a major impression on him. His description of each scene as “incredible” points to the scale of what the cast and crew were trying to create.
The film’s release window remains broad, with 2027 or 2028 cited as the expected target. That means fans will likely have to wait before seeing McIntyre’s performance and the finished version of the project. Still, his comments provide an early indication of how he views the production: as a large-scale undertaking with a meticulous director at the helm and a cast that offered valuable examples to follow.
What the Experience Could Mean Going Forward
McIntyre was careful not to frame acting as an immediate replacement for professional wrestling. Instead, he said the experience made him believe he can build a career in that world “when it’s time.” The wording leaves room for WWE to remain central to his current path while also acknowledging that he sees a credible future in film.
That distinction matters. McIntyre’s wrestling career has been defined by persistence and reinvention, and he remains a prominent WWE figure. The confidence he described does not come from abandoning that foundation. It comes from discovering that the discipline, work ethic and performance instincts he has developed can translate into a new setting when he chooses to pursue it more fully.
There is also a practical value in working on a project of this size early in an actor’s development. Being around performers such as Cavill, Gillan, Bautista, Crowe and McKidd gives McIntyre an opportunity to study how established talent handles a major set environment. Working with Stahelski adds another learning opportunity, particularly given the director’s experience in stunt work and action choreography. McIntyre’s remarks show appreciation for the entire group rather than focusing only on the headline value of sharing a cast list with recognizable names.
For WWE fans, the eventual release of Highlander will offer a chance to see McIntyre in a markedly different format from weekly wrestling television. In WWE, fans are accustomed to seeing him command an arena and tell stories over the course of matches, promos and rivalries. Film places a performer in a more controlled, edited medium, where individual scenes and takes become part of a larger finished narrative. McIntyre’s enthusiasm indicates that he embraced that challenge.
Anticipation Builds for Highlander
At this stage, the strongest takeaway from McIntyre’s comments is his belief in the finished movie. He repeatedly emphasized the size of the production, the quality of the scenes and Stahelski’s exacting standards. With a cast that includes Cavill, Gillan, Bautista and Crowe, plus a WWE star eager to prove himself in a new arena, Highlander has assembled a group with considerable screen presence.
McIntyre’s participation adds another layer of intrigue for wrestling audiences, but his own focus was on growth. He came away from the experience feeling more assured that he can make a sustained move into acting when the moment arrives. That may ultimately be the most important outcome of the project for him personally: not only appearing in a major film, but learning enough on set to envision a genuine long-term place in the industry.
Until the movie’s eventual release, McIntyre’s comments will give fans reason to follow its progress closely. He has seen the work being put into every scene, has witnessed Stahelski’s hands-on approach to action, and has learned from a cast that includes performers with extensive experience across film and television. Based on his assessment, he expects audiences to be impressed when Highlander finally reaches theaters.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.