Henry Cavill Filming Highlander Reboot Transforms Central Street into Retro Hong Kong
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
British actor Henry Cavill drew large crowds to Peel Street in Central on Thursday night as filming began for a new Highlander reboot series. The production transformed the trendy nightlife district into a retro-futuristic version of old Hong Kong, complete with authentic and replica neon signs, outdoor hawker stalls, and a temple. Despite record-breaking heat, Cavill was seen wearing a thick leather jacket during filming, while dozens of extras in New Year celebration attire participated in what is believed to be a scene set for the year 2040 .
Key Points
- Henry Cavill, known for roles as Superman and Geralt in The Witcher, was filming in Central on Peel Street on Thursday night
- The production is a reboot of the 1986 film Highlander, a fantasy-action series directed by Chad Stahelski of John Wick fame
- Film crews erected genuine and replica neon signs, hawker stalls, and a temple to evoke Hong Kong of decades past
- Dozens of extras wearing hats and accessories participated in what appears to be a New Year celebration scene for the year 2040
- Hundreds of people gathered throughout the evening as news and images of the filming spread on social media
- Crew members attempted to prevent fans from photographing the actor and set, but without success
- Visitors described the set as bringing back memories of old Hong Kong, with one saying, "I wish they would keep them here. It's such a vibe"
Why It Matters
The production highlights Hong Kong's unique blend of old and new, bringing renewed attention to the city's vanishing neon sign heritage that once defined its nightscape. As film tourism continues to grow in Asia, such high-profile productions showcase Hong Kong as a premier filming destination while sparking nostalgia among locals for a bygone era .
The production highlights Hong Kong's unique blend of old and new, bringing renewed attention to the city's vanishing neon sign heritage that once defined its nightscape. As film tourism continues to grow in Asia, such high-profile productions showcase Hong Kong as a premier filming destination while sparking nostalgia among locals for a bygone era .