It has already been a week since it was officially confirmed that the Russo Brothers are indeed developing the live-action remake of 1997’s iconic animated film Hercules, and Disney fans are still reeling in with excitement as their long-awaited Hercules remake is finally on its way especially when the project is in the capable hands of the blockbuster filmmaking duo.
In a recent interview with Collider, the Avengers: Endgame directors has finally opened up about the highly-anticipated project, revealing that they’ve personally met with Disney to pitch their idea for the remake.
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“Both us and our kids are Hercules fanatics,” Anthony Russo said. “And we had heard that Disney was interested in revisiting it and we’re in love with the original. And we made a case as to why we felt we would be right to produce that film and here we are.”
Although the project is still in early stages of development, the Russo Brothers has also teased a few details of their upcoming remake, assuring fans that the original’s memorable music “will certainly be a part of it.” However, they stressed that their movie will definitely feature a different story and won’t be a literal translation of the original.
“Well, I think you always have to bring something new to the table because from our perspective as storytellers, it’s not compelling for us to do a literal translation.” Anthony Russo explained.“We’ve already done that with our Marvel films. We don’t do literal translations of the comics because we feel like if you want that story you can go read that story. We’re going to give you a different story. I think we’ll do something that’s in the vein of the original and inspired by it, but we also bring some new elements to the table.”
The original film, which starred Tate Donovan (Rocketman) in the titular role, was a musical retelling of the iconic Hercules legend in which the son of Zeus is stripped of his immortality by Hades in an effort to ensure he would be able to conquer Mount Olympus in 18 years’ time. His plans don’t go as successfully as he intended as Hercules is left with his superhuman strength intact and the hero goes on a journey to protect his home along with humanity.
The animated film is notable for going through constant retooling over the many years of development, with 18 credited writers contributing to the final product and Ron Clements and Jon Muker directing. The cast for the original film also included Danny DeVito (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), James Woods (Videodrome) and Susan Egan (Steven Universe).
Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo are attached to the upcoming remake to produce via their AGBO banner but not direct, with the new film being in early development and not having any other producers or directors attached at this time.
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There have been casting rumors in recent weeks regarding the project, somewhat inspired by Ariana Grande’s performance of “I Won’t Say I’m In Love” from the film in The Disney Family Singalong, which sparked the creation of a petition on Change.Org. Other names being thrown into contention by fans and enthusiasts of the project include Idris Elba (Fast & Furious Presents Hobbs & Shaw) and Ryan Gosling (The Nice Guys) as well as for Danny DeVito to reprise his role as satyr hero trainer Philoctetes or Phil.
Hercules joins a growing list of animated films from the Disney catalog to be getting the live-action treatment from the studio, including the upcoming Mulan, which is currently slated for a July 24 release. Last year saw two box office smash adaptations in Aladdin and The Lion King, with sequel and spin-off projects currently in development on the former.
