Guy Ritchie’s live-action adaptation of Disney’s Hercules remains in development, despite recent rumours suggesting otherwise. The project, produced by Joe and Anthony Russo of Avengers: Endgame fame, has faced setbacks, including industry strikes and speculation regarding Ritchie’s involvement. However, in a recent interview with GamesRadar, the Russo brothers confirmed that the film is still moving forward, albeit currently awaiting a completed script.
The brothers provided some clarity, indicating that Ritchie is still attached to direct the film, which promises to be an experimental take on the classic Disney animation. The Russo brothers hinted that the remake would draw inspiration from contemporary cultural influences, such as TikTok, to infuse fresh elements into the narrative.
The development process has taken longer than initially anticipated, in part due to the SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America strikes, delaying the completion of the script. Despite this, the project has not been abandoned, and Disney continues to pursue its live-action rendition of the 1997 animated classic.
Rumours have also circulated about potential casting choices for the film. Danny DeVito, who voiced Philoctetes in the original movie, was reportedly in talks to reprise his role in the live-action version, but negotiations were interrupted by the SAG-AFTRA strike.
The original Hercules, directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, told the story of the titular hero’s journey to prove himself and reclaim his godhood, based on the Greek mythological figure Heracles. The voice cast featured Tate Donovan as Hercules, Danny DeVito as Phil, James Woods as Hades, and Susan Egan as Megara, among others.
While a direct-to-video sequel, Hercules: Zero to Hero, was released in 1999, the live-action adaptation represents a significant reimagining, following in the footsteps of other Disney classics that have been reinterpreted for modern audiences. The recent success of The Little Mermaid is one such example, illustrating Disney’s strategy of revisiting its animated legacy.
Hercules is poised to join this trend, breathing new life into the beloved tale, though details on its progress remain sparse. Fans of the original film can stream it on Disney+ while awaiting further updates on the live-action rendition.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing Honkai: Star Rail, cosplaying, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
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