Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez is a fictional character in the Highlander franchise, which covers multiple timelines. Born under the name Tak-Ne and referred to as "the Spaniard", he is generally depicted as an Egyptian swordsman who is immortal, unable to die unless beheaded, due to an energy called the Quickening. Ramírez is notable for being the mentor and friend of Connor MacLeod, the main protagonist of the first three Highlander films. The film Highlander II: The Quickening gave the character an alternative origin as a sorcerer from the planet Zeist who becomes immortal when exiled to Earth, while the director's cut of the same film said he was still an immortal native to Earth but one born during a lost age of advanced technology that existed before recorded history. Ramírez was portrayed by Sean Connery in Highlander and Highlander II: The Quickening. He is mentioned but never seen in the live-action show Highlander: The Series. Other than James Bond, Ramírez is the only character that Connery played in more than one film.
Conception In the original Widen script, Ramirez was known as Juan Cid Romirez and was an alchemist and chief surveyor. His origins were unknown but the script hinted that he was a Spanish born Immortal. He carried a large broadsword instead of the Dragonshead Katana. Gene Hackman, Michael Caine and Peter O'Toole were considered for the role. Connery filmed his role in one week as he had other projects pending. The opening voice-over by Connery has an echo effect because it was recorded in the bathroom of his Spanish villa, where he had been working on his Spanish accent for the film with a voice coach. It was played for the producers over the phone, and they approved of it because they could not discern the quality of the recording.
Fictional history Ramírez's history is largely established by the 1986 film Highlander and its original screenplay, which adds details that did not make it into the final cut of the film but are treated as canon by later tie-in media. Some details are later added by Highlander: The Series and Highlander III: The Sorcerer. The man who will be called Ramírez is born in Ancient Egypt in 896 BC (during the Third Intermediate Period, Twenty-second Dynasty) and named Tak-Ne. He lives an average life until he is run down by an out of control cart in the streets of his home. After he revives from his fatal wounds and shows no sign of his injuries, Tak-Ne is banished by the fearful people of his home and wanders the Earth. Tak-Ne originally believes that it is due to repeated quickening lightenings to the scrotum that Immortals can't have kids. It is explained to him later that, it's because they are aliens from another planet that is the reason. Tak-Ne learns he and other rare people were born with an energy called the Quickening that makes them invincible to age, disease, and injury after their First Death, connects them to nature, lets them sense each other, and prevents them from having children. They can only die if beheaded, and immortals can absorb more Quickening energy by killing another of their own kind. For this reason, some hunt each other in "the Game", where the main rule is to never fight on holy ground. Tak-Ne is told that one day when just a few are left, those immortals will be drawn to a faraway land and fight in the Gathering, the final battle for the Prize: enough power to enslave humanity. According to the Game, "In the end, there can be only one." Determined that a corrupt person must not win the Prize, Tak-Ne battles and kills several evil immortals throughout history. One enemy he is never able to defeat is the murderous immortal known as the Kurgan (Clancy Brown). He and Tak-Ne battle each other in Babylonia, Greece, and ancient China. They encounter each other during the Battle of Plataea, when Tak-Ne fights alongside the Spartans. During this fight, Tak-Ne shatters the Kurgan's sword. Tak-Ne marries three different times during his life. In Japan, less than six centuries before the beginning of the Common Era, he marries Shakiko, a Japanese princess. Shakiko's father, a great swordsmith named Masamune, gives Ramírez a katana in 592 BC. The sword is unique for the time, forged with a technique that Japan will not see again until the Middle Ages. After Shakiko dies, Tak-Ne is emotionally shattered and decides he will not form such connections with mortals again. He likewise advises other immortals against forming romantic connections with mortals. By the 16th century, Tak-Ne lives in Spain under the name Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez and spends time working as the Chief Metallurgist to King Charles V. Ramírez leaves for the Scottish Highlands when he learns the Kurgan is there. After he arrives, he discovers the Kurgan targeted Connor MacLeod, a young Highlander who was banished from his clan after he inexplicably recovered from death in the battlefield. Ramírez tracks down MacLeod and the man's wife Heather, explaining the secrets of immortality and the Game. Wishing to make sure MacLeod can defend himself and hoping he will be an ally against evil such as the Kurgan, Ramírez trains the Highlander for over a year. In 1542, while Connor is away hunting, the Kurgan finds Ramírez and Heather. A duel ensues and Ramírez nearly decapitates his foe. Though he fails, the Kurgan will carry the scar from the wound and a damaged voice for the rest of his immortal life. The Kurgan then kills Ramírez, bringing an end to their centuries-long conflict, and leaves. Connor buries Ramírez in Glencoe, near the home he shares with Heather. Decades later, Heather dies of old age. Connor leaves Scotland to wander the Earth, now adopting Ramírez's sword as his own. In 1985, the Gathering takes place and the last two immortals are Connor and the Kurgan. The Highlander wins, earning the Prize and finally avenging Ramírez's death centuries before.
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