Karen Gillan joins the cast of Highlander reboot

Scottish actress Karen Gillan has confirmed she is to star in a remake of 80s cult movie Highlander alongside Henry Cavill.

The 37-year-old former Doctor Who star, who grew up in Inverness, posted on Instagram that “my dialect coach can sit this one out”.

“So excited to be an actual Highlander in ‘Highlander’,” she said.

Gillan will take on the role of the wife of Connor McLeod – played by former Superman actor Cavill – the love of his life, who he meets while still a young man.

The original 1986 film chronicles the climax of an age-old war between immortal warriors.

It starred Frenchman Christopher Lambert as The Highlander, with Sir Sean Connery playing his mentor Ramirez – an Egyptian who had been based in Spain.

Filming on the reboot will begin in September in Scotland.

Gillan, who lives in Los Angeles with her American husband, told the BBC this week she wants to work in her home country more often.

“I am more likely to take a job if it films in Scotland,” she said.

“I’m always looking for reasons to come to Scotland.”

She said her daughter Clementine, who was born in December last year, will soon be travelling with her when she comes back to Inverness.

“My next job is going to be in Scotland so she will be seeing it soon,” Gillan said.

“I can take her to Eden Court Theatre – and I want to take her to the pantomime in Inverness – that’s my biggest dream.”

Gillan’s latest movie – Life of Chuck – was filmed before she gave birth in December.

It is based on the 2020 novella King of Horror by Stephen King and stars Tom Hiddleston and Chiwetel Ejiofor, alongside Gillan and Star Wars actor Mark Hamill.

The plot follows the life of Charles “Chuck” Krantz but starts from his death, which coincides with the end of the universe, and works back to his childhood.

Gillan, who has starred in box office hits such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Jumanji, says it is not what most people would expect from a Stephen King project.

“I thought it would be some horror epic and it is just not that at all – it’s quite the opposite,” she said.

“I’d describe it as a life-affirming film and an exploration of life and how to truly live in the way that you want to.”

She added: “It really makes you examine how you are spending your own time which is something I definitely dove into when I was preparing for it.”

Gillan’s character Felicia is a nurse who knows the universe is coming to an end.

“I asked myself ‘what would that actually feel like?’,” she said.

“I came to the conclusion that so many things that we get so fixated on in life – things like accolades and money – all that would fade away and at the end of the day it is about being with people you love and who love you back – that is what life is truly all about.”

When she attended the Hollywood premiere of Life of Chuck in June, it was her first red carpet event since the birth of daughter at the end of last year.

“I just feel completely different,” the star said.

“My whole perspective has shifted. I just feel like my main purpose in life is to protect this baby at all costs – and then also do acting on the side.”

Gillan, who is married to comedian Nick Kocher, says she isn’t really sure how it would work having a baby on set during long hours of filming.

But she added: “I am going to have to figure it out because I refuse to be parted with her.”

She says she would like to direct a horror movie or maybe a one-woman theatre show.

“That’s something I haven’t done out of fear – a live production of some sort,” she said.

“I have got to face the fear. It’s time. Every single year I go to the Fringe, I come out saying I am going to do a show next year and it never comes to fruition.

“But maybe next year. I could hang around with one of these experimental clowns and they might let me be in their show.”

And what would it take for her to return to Doctor Who and the role of Amy Pond where she made her name?

“It would take Matt Smith and Arthur Darvill to be with me and that’s about it,” she said.

“I’d do it if they were there. I had the best time of my life on that TV show.

“I can’t believe I was 21 years old and got to run about with two of my best mates – it was such a good time.”