Disney has announced that director Guy Ritchie has been picked to helm a live-action version of the studio’s animated film, “Hercules.”
Will Second Time Be a Charm?
This will mark the second film that Ritchie has directed for the Disney.
He also directed 2019’s live-action version of “Aladdin,” which became his first film to crack the billion-dollar mark at the box office.
Ritchie currently has two films in production, including “Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre,” with actor Jason Statham.
The Russos Return As Well
The film will also be produced by AGBO, the production company run by directors Joe & Anthony Russo, who have directed several Marvel films.
Among those films were “Avengers: Infinity War,” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
The Russo Brothers are currently gearing up for the July release of “The Gray Man,” an action thriller for Netflix starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans.
The Original
The original animated “Hercules” was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker as a musical retelling of the greek legend of Heracles, known in the film by his Roman name Hercules.
It is narrated by The Muses: Calliope, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Thalia and Clio (Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan and Vanéese Y. Thomas).
Tate Donovan voiced Hercules as an adult, and Susan Egan voiced his love interest, Megara.
James Woods voiced Hades, who sentenced baby Hercules to death based on fortelling by The Fates.
Thankfully his henchmen Pain (Bobcat Goldthwait) and Panic (Matt Frewer) botch the job, and Hercules grows up among mortals until he decides to find his real parents.
Discovering his parents are the gods Zeus and Hera (another major change from the original legend), he goes to train with the satyr Philoctetes (“Phil”), voiced by Danny Devito.
At this point, Hades discovers Hercules is still alive and literally all hell breaks loose.
The film featured music by Alan Menken, and the soundtrack also included the single version of “Go the Distance” by Michael Bolton.
It was the 35th film for Disney Animation.
More Details
This “Hercules” live-action remake was first announced in 2020
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” screenwriter Dave Callaham has written a first draft, but AGBO is in the process of hiring additional writers.
No further information has been given regarding the film, including a projected release date.
Your Dream Cast?
Since the film is still in the early stages, who would you want cast and for what role? Let us know in the comments.