Hercules (Live-Action)

All topics relating to Disney-branded content.
User avatar
lucifer
Member
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 4:14 pm
Location: Tx

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by lucifer »

Alexander Skarsgard is.. kinda surprising. Isn’t Hercules supposed to be pretty buff? Skarsgard is fit but not bulky.. and he doesn’t really have any hint of Mediterranean in him either. I’d personally pick somebody more like Ryan Phillippe instead.. Kellan Lutz was pretty spot on for casting but there’s no way they would cast him after he already did a (horrible) Hercules live action.
User avatar
JeanGreyForever
Signature Collection
Posts: 5335
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:29 pm

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by JeanGreyForever »

He played Tarzan so I could see him playing Hercules as well. Alexander Ludwig would work well if they're going for a slightly more younger version. Not a fan of Amber Heard at all so I hope they don't use her for Meg.
ImageImage
We’re a dyad in the Force. Two that are one.
"I offered you my hand once. You wanted to take it." - Kylo Ren
"I did want to take your hand. Ben's hand." - Rey
User avatar
unprincess
Collector's Edition
Posts: 2134
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 5:00 pm

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by unprincess »

I was a bit confused at first, I couldn't remember if this was the Skarsgård from True Blood/Tarzan(sure) or the Skarsgård from It(oh no no no!) :o Its Alex not Bill...always gets them confused! I think he would be ok but from what Ive seen of him on True Blood I really don't feel he has that "aw, shucks!" charm that the Herc from the animated film had.

Cumberbatch, please no, his characters all feel the same to me for some reason.
DisneyFan97
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1043
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:38 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by DisneyFan97 »

My opinion is that Hercules is the best male lead in any Disney animated movie.

Many Disney are are either bland like Li shang, Generic hero types like Phoebus or smug and overly morden like Flynn Rider.

Aladdin is also great

I don't count animals.

Also i din't consider Peter the main character. I think thar's Wendy.

Quasimodo so uquice it deels hard comparing him to other Diney male heros.

And Tarzan is good but i like jane more.
User avatar
JeanGreyForever
Signature Collection
Posts: 5335
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:29 pm

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by JeanGreyForever »

I've always found Hercules sort of dull and boring. I think he suffers coming after Beast, Aladdin, Simba, and Quasimodo, not to mention before Tarzan. All of those characters are better developed and just generally more charismatic or captivating.

Shang I find very bland as well. Not at all upset that he's missing from the remake. Phoebus I had to grow to like but I really find him entertaining now. And I despise Flynn.

It's nice to see someone else recognize that Wendy is really the main character of her story.
ImageImage
We’re a dyad in the Force. Two that are one.
"I offered you my hand once. You wanted to take it." - Kylo Ren
"I did want to take your hand. Ben's hand." - Rey
User avatar
Disney's Divinity
Ultimate Collector's Edition
Posts: 16239
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:26 am
Gender: Male

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Disney's Divinity »

DisneyFan97 wrote:My opinion is that Hercules is the best male lead in any Disney animated movie.

Many Disney are are either bland like Li shang, Generic hero types like Phoebus or smug and overly morden like Flynn Rider.

Aladdin is also great
I agree that Hercules and Aladdin are the two best male protagonists Disney has. I also like Jim Hawkins and Milo, even if they come from films that weren't as well-received.

I still don't know what to expect out of this. If it's true they were once going to have Cumberbatch and Heard for Hades and Megara, maybe the film will be more or less the same, except a little more serious. I hope they keep the Muses. I can't get the idea of JHUD as Calliope and Sherri Shepherd as Thalia out of my head, although perhaps Queen Latifah could work just as well as Thalia or better considering she's funny and can sing. The other three had less personality in the movie--I wouldn't mind Jordin Sparks as one of them, love her and JHUD. Maybe JHUD for Calliope (the lead), Alicia Keys for Melpomene (Muse of Tragedy), Sparks as Terpsichore (Dance), Lupita Nyong'o as Clio (History), and Latifah as Thalia (Comedy).
Image
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
DisneyFan97
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1043
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:38 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by DisneyFan97 »

Disney's Divinity wrote:
DisneyFan97 wrote:My opinion is that Hercules is the best male lead in any Disney animated movie.

Many Disney are are either bland like Li shang, Generic hero types like Phoebus or smug and overly morden like Flynn Rider.

Aladdin is also great
I agree that Hercules and Aladdin are the two best male protagonists Disney has. I also like Jim Hawkins and Milo, even if they come from films that weren't as well-received.

I still don't know what to expect out of this. If it's true they were once going to have Cumberbatch and Heard for Hades and Megara, maybe the film will be more or less the same, except a little more serious. I hope they keep the Muses. I can't get the idea of JHUD as Calliope and Sherri Shepherd as Thalia out of my head, although perhaps Queen Latifah could work just as well as Thalia or better considering she's funny and can sing. The other three had less personality in the movie--I wouldn't mind Jordin Sparks as one of them, love her and JHUD. Maybe JHUD for Calliope (the lead), Alicia Keys for Melpomene (Muse of Tragedy), Sparks as Terpsichore (Dance), Lupita Nyong'o as Clio (History), and Latifah as Thalia (Comedy).
Aubrey Plaza is my dream choice for Megara.

Will Arnett, Conan O’Brien or Robert Downey Jr would all be great as Hades

Tom Holland should play young Hercules

Neil Patrick Harris as Panic

Neil Patrick Harris would also have been a great Timon !

Maybe Betty White, Carol Burnett and Lily Tomlin for the Fates

Hercules is one of my favorite of all the Disney animated movies along with Beauty and The Beast and Emperor's New Groove
User avatar
Disney's Divinity
Ultimate Collector's Edition
Posts: 16239
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:26 am
Gender: Male

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Disney's Divinity »

DisneyFan97 wrote:
Maybe Betty White, Carol Burnett and Lily Tomlin for the Fates
I actually could see Betty White as the Fate Hades flirts with. :lol: She actually always reminded me of Fauna from Sleeping Beauty. Now I can't unsee the Fates as a dark version of the three fairies. rotfl They're even color-coded the same!

Tom Holland would be great as a young Hercules, but I'm not sure if they'd cast him or if he'd want it since he's probably busy with Spider-Man.
Image
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
User avatar
JeanGreyForever
Signature Collection
Posts: 5335
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:29 pm

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by JeanGreyForever »

DisneyFan97 wrote: Tom Holland should play young Hercules
I feel like he would be wasted if he's only in the beginning of the film. I do like the idea of him being cast as Herc though.
ImageImage
We’re a dyad in the Force. Two that are one.
"I offered you my hand once. You wanted to take it." - Kylo Ren
"I did want to take your hand. Ben's hand." - Rey
User avatar
Clindor
Gold Classic Collection
Posts: 469
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:36 pm
Location: Paris, France

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Clindor »

I’m afraid this movie is gonna be a huge mess.. When you think of it, the original animated classic is actually kind of messy too... but in a rather good way. And this 1997-movie can definitely count me in its fanbase! But when you translate that into a live-action feature (considering the way Disney has been handling this over the past few years), I might personally be afraid of what may comes ahead.. The result has its chances of being rather awkward.
User avatar
Disney's Divinity
Ultimate Collector's Edition
Posts: 16239
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:26 am
Gender: Male

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Disney's Divinity »

That's true, Clindor. I hope they stick close to the original in part because, even if this film bombs, most movies made in relation to Greek myths seem to flop these days. I'd rather this flop trying to be the Disney take on the story (with maybe some additions here and there to story, like perhaps fighting the Hydra or the Centaur are "labors" for Hercules, or whatever).
Image
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
User avatar
JeanGreyForever
Signature Collection
Posts: 5335
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:29 pm

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by JeanGreyForever »

Clindor wrote:I’m afraid this movie is gonna be a huge mess.. When you think of it, the original animated classic is actually kind of messy too... but in a rather good way. And this 1997-movie can definitely count me in its fanbase! But when you translate that into a live-action feature (considering the way Disney has been handling this over the past few years), I might personally be afraid of what may comes ahead.. The result has its chances of being rather awkward.
Half of the zaniness comes from the animation of the film and that won't translate at all into live-action. All the gospel songs are super frenetic and as we've seen from the live-action remakes so far, the updated songs never have the same amount of energy or zeal to them. I really don't think this movie needs a live-action remake if they plan on keeping to the style of the original (although that could be said about a lot of these remakes). I think going the route of Mulan would be a better choice, albeit without drifting too close to the generic Greek films like the other Hercules films that flopped or the 300 films. It would be nice to have some accuracy to the myths this time around.
ImageImage
We’re a dyad in the Force. Two that are one.
"I offered you my hand once. You wanted to take it." - Kylo Ren
"I did want to take your hand. Ben's hand." - Rey
User avatar
Sotiris
Ultimate Collector's Edition
Posts: 21070
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:06 am
Gender: Male
Location: Fantasyland

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Sotiris »

We Got This Covered previously brought you the news that Alexander Skarsgard was in the running to play the demi-god himself. But what would Hercules be without his nemesis, his evil uncle Hades? James Woods memorably brought the flame-haired devil to life in the cartoon, so Disney will have to find a charismatic actor to take over for the live-action version. And they might have found a good fit in the form of Doctor Strange‘s Benedict Cumberbatch.

We’ve been informed by our sources – the same ones who revealed an Aladdin sequel is happening, and that a Ms. Marvel show is in the works, both of which have since been confirmed – that he’s on the studio’s wishlist for the role of the villain. Of course, just because he’s on a wishlist doesn’t mean he’ll end up with the part, and he may not even be aware that he’s being eyed, but our sources are confident that he’s at least one of the actors that Disney is considering.

If the notion of Cumberbatch playing the Lord of the Underworld sounds familiar though, that’s because a rumor was going around last month that claimed the British star was set to portray the villain. The same rumor also pointed to Trevor Donovan competing for the title role. This info turned out to be onto something yesterday, too, when Donovan let slip that he “kinda sorta” is up for the part but that he’s “not supposed to say anything.”
Source: https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/ben ... es-remake/
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
User avatar
Disney's Divinity
Ultimate Collector's Edition
Posts: 16239
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:26 am
Gender: Male

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Disney's Divinity »

I know it's been discussed before, but Cumberbatch would've never been one of my first guesses for the role of Hades. I don't think I've ever seen him play a villain, so maybe he would be really good (if it actually were to happen)?
Image
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
User avatar
Sotiris
Ultimate Collector's Edition
Posts: 21070
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:06 am
Gender: Male
Location: Fantasyland

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Sotiris »

Our source has now given us an update on who Disney wants for Herc’s nemesis Hades, though. In the original 1997 adventure, James Woods voiced the flame-haired villain, lending him his fast-talking wise guy persona. For the remake, however, it appears that the studio is going in a different direction and are looking for British actors known for their class and charisma. That’s what we can take away from the two names we’ve been told are on Disney’s wishlist: Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston. However, at this stage, it’s unclear if these actors have even been approached as they’re only on an internal wishlist, so who knows whether they’d have any interest in the role. And seeing as this intel comes from the same sources who told us an Aladdin sequel was happening, and that Robert Pattinson was locked in as Batman, we have no reason to doubt it.
Source: https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/tom ... es-remake/
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
DisneyFan97
Anniversary Edition
Posts: 1043
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2018 7:38 am
Location: Sweden

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by DisneyFan97 »

If they make a live actiom Hercules i hope Barry Sonnenfeld is the director and that they keep the tone of animated movie with all it's anachronistic jokes and references !
User avatar
Sotiris
Ultimate Collector's Edition
Posts: 21070
Joined: Sat Sep 23, 2006 3:06 am
Gender: Male
Location: Fantasyland

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Sotiris »

Of the three, I prefer Gore Verbinski. Whoever ultimately gets the job, I just hope they have a love and appreciation for musicals.
Walt Disney Studios has found its next live-action remake of one of their animated films with Hercules; we have exclusively learned.

The studio has tapped Jeffery Silver (The Lion King, Tron: Legacy) and Karen Gilchrist (The Lion King, The Mandalorian) to produce. The film is expected to be a theatrical release, not a Disney+ original like Lady and the Tramp, as well as Robin Hood and Lilo & Stitch both in pre-production. The film is expected to feature songs from the original animated film, with new ones likely being added.

Another huge thing I want to add to this piece are three directors that I’ve heard from pretty reliable sources that the studio is interested in to direct the project. Let me start off by saying these are just names I’ve heard and are by no means in any formal discussions.

The first name I’ve heard most recently from two different sources is Jon Favreau, Favreau has directed two of Disney’s most successful live-action remakes in 2016’s The Jungle Book and 2019’s The Lion King, which would re-team him with both Silver and Gilchrist.

The second name I heard maybe a year ago was the Joe and Anthony Russo a.k.a the Russo Brothers, who directed four of the most highly-praised Marvel films of all-time Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and the highest-grossing movie of all-time, 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. I’ve also heard they are both big fans of the animated film.

The last name I heard but have the least faith in terms of who I heard it from is Gore Verbinski, who directed and kicked off one of Disney’s most successful franchises ever, with the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films. Verbinski also directed 2013’s The Lone Ranger, which was also expected to kick off its own franchise. Sadly, the film flopped, and those plans were quickly scrapped, though the film has been met with a cult following in recent years.

I’d like to finish up by reiterating that these are just names I’ve heard, and none of these directors are in talks or are officially being looked at by the studio.

Once a director is tapped, the studio will begin the search for their lead stars. Despite the current Hollywood shut down due to the coronavirus, it is expected the studio will meet with writers/directors/actors via Zoom.
Source: https://thedisinsider.com/2020/04/29/ex ... n-the-mix/
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
User avatar
Disney's Divinity
Ultimate Collector's Edition
Posts: 16239
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:26 am
Gender: Male

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Disney's Divinity »

Very happy the songs will be staying in this one. After Mulan, I wouldn't have been surprised if they turned this into a "very serious" adaptation of the myth, only using enough about the original film (like its logo or re-creating its posters) as a way to get money out of people they wouldn't have if they'd tried to make the film stand on its own two feet.

I'd be fine with any of those directors, tbh. Favreau made TJB which I liked, and I give him a pass on TLK--Disney is probably the one who demanded it to be a shot for shot recreation. I loved Infinity War, which the Russos made. Verbinski would be good if they can get the mix of comedy and action right; PotC was successful because of the humor, imo, and Hercules is ultimately a comedy (which large dashes of action / drama).
Image
Listening to most often lately:
Taylor Swift ~ ~ "The Fate of Ophelia"
Taylor Swift ~ "Eldest Daughter"
Taylor Swift ~ "CANCELLED!"
User avatar
nomad2010
Special Edition
Posts: 647
Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:44 pm
Location: dfs
Contact:

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by nomad2010 »

I’m shocked they aren’t trying to get Taika Waititi on this. I know he’s doing the next Thor but this movie is so far off there’s no way he couldn’t do it. He’s an expert at blending heart and humor and action. Whereas I think that the options listed never hit the emotional marks necessary for a story like this.
User avatar
Farerb
Signature Collection
Posts: 5178
Joined: Sat May 19, 2018 2:09 pm

Re: Hercules Live-Action?

Post by Farerb »

nomad2010 wrote:I’m shocked they aren’t trying to get Taika Waititi on this. I know he’s doing the next Thor but this movie is so far off there’s no way he couldn’t do it. He’s an expert at blending heart and humor and action. Whereas I think that the options listed never hit the emotional marks necessary for a story like this.
Yeah I agree. Another good candidate could have been James Gunn.
Post Reply