New information posted earlier today by The DisInsider suggests that the next live-action project from Disney will be a remake of their animated film Hercules from 1997. Disney has launched a wave of successful live-action remakes of their animation library so it was only a matter of time.
Last year saw the billion dollar hits, Aladdin and The Lion King. The latter more or less a animated film using more CGI than the other “live-action” remakes.
UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter confirms the original reporting that the live-action film is in the works and that screenwriter Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984, Shang-Chi) is working on the script. However, adding that the Russo Brothers are aiming to produce, not direct the film.
The report states that the producers of this new movie will be Jeffrey Silver (The Lion King and Tron: Legacy) and Karen Gilchrist (The Lion King and The Mandalorian).
HERCULES – Disney tackles Greek mythology in this animated feature. Hercules (Tate Donovan), a son of gods, was snatched as a baby by Hades (James Woods) and forced to live among mortals as a half-man, half-god. Now a teenager, Hercules needs to perform a rite of passage on Earth to prove himself worthy of living with the gods on Mount Olympus. With his plucky satyr sidekick, Philoctetes (Danny DeVito), along for the ride, Hercules must learn how to use his strength to defeat a series of evil creatures.
Hercules is aiming to be a theatrical release despite some of the adaptations heading to Disney+.
The report also included a few big names that have been speculated to direct the live-action of Hercules.
Some of the directors they mention as potential candidates include John Favreau (The Lion King, Jungle Book, The Mandalorian), the Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame), and Gore Verbinski (The Lone Ranger, Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3).
The first two contenders seem way too busy as the Russo Brothers have three films they’re planning on making the next three years that potentially includes their Battle of The Planets adaption and a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. Jon Favreau is also busy with The Mandalorian he’s also loosely attached to make a sequels for The Jungle Book and given his remake of the Lion King earning a billion dollars might be asked to make sequel to that as well.
Gore seemingly the less busy of the names mentioned and sounds about right for the project given how busy the others are at the moment.
However, they’re quick to mention that there are no deals in place at the moment.
Are you a fan of the original Hercules and excited by the prospect of a live-action version?
