Highlander Actor Reveals Deleted Fight Scene Was Cut Because It Was 'Too Good'

A swordsman who performed in a fight sequence cut from the original 1986 Highlander film has shared details about the scene and its removal, over 40 years later. Alex King, who portrayed the immortal Yung Dol Kim, told The Telegraph that he filmed an elaborate sword fight with Clancy Brown, who played the formidable antagonist The Kurgan.

The sequence was removed from the final cut of the film, a fact King was unaware of at the time, as his name did not appear in the credits and he was not invited to screenings. In the scene, Yung Dol Kim is beheaded by The Kurgan in a manner consistent with the film's lore, but only after what is described as an "ambitious" fight. King's character meets his end with a sense of peace, kneeling and smiling as he accepts his fate.

Bob Anderson, the film's fight choreographer and a renowned swordmaster who also worked on Star Wars, reportedly warned that the choreography for King's fight was so impressive that it risked overshadowing the action sequences featuring the protagonist, Connor MacLeod. King, who was a regional fencing instructor at the time, was performing complex moves, including wielding two swords against Brown's single blade, incorporating kicks and acrobatic dives. One notable move involved him leaping backward over a bank of computers before re-entering the frame to continue the fight.

The most distinctive element of the cut scene was its conclusion. Instead of a traditional defeat, Yung Dol Kim simply stops fighting, having reached a point where he has had enough after centuries of existence. He chooses to die, adopting a serene posture akin to a Buddha as he awaits the final blow.

King expressed that he believes the filmmakers were "embarrassed" to cut his scene due to its quality. He reflected that at the time, he felt "too young and inexperienced" to question the decision, but now admits to feeling "a little p[email protected] off with it." However, he ultimately adopts a philosophical outlook on the situation.

A new Highlander film is currently in development, with Henry Cavill set to star in the title role. The project has been described as "John Wick with guns," though a release date has not yet been announced.