It's the era of remakes and live-action adaptation, for better or for worse. Whether it's Disney or another reputable studio, live-action remakes have been a hit-or-miss situation. Almost a dozen timeless classics have been transformed onto the big screens featuring big names in the industry from The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast to The Little Mermaid. As of now, it seems like Disney is showing no signs of stopping from bringing its iconic stories to life.

So, when the Russo Brothers announced in April 2024 that a live-action remake of the 1997 Hercules movies was still on, it ignited the fandom once more. Based on the myth of the Greek demi-god Hercules, the rumors surrounding the project outweigh the actual facts. Even still, there's a lot that can still be explained about the mysterious remake.

Is a Hercules Live-Action Remake Still In the Works

• The Russo Brothers have sparked hope for fans by stating that a Hercules remake is still happening.
• However, there's nothing more than just the intent to move forward.

It's exciting to witness Disney's most iconic and loved stories being adapted to the big screens. The return of The Lion King via a different medium and setup induced nostalgia that lasted right down to The Little Mermaid's release. While live-action adaptations are a gamble, they are also risk-worthy because they may birth iconic roles that fans may forever remember as "perfect." Just like Henry Cavill fits the bill perfectly for fictional characters like Superman, the right story and the actors can make a remake soar. The latest entry in Disney's live-action journey is its 1997 animated movie about a demi-god and his adventures to become a hero. Rumors first started circulating in 2022 when Joe Russo shared that a live-action adaptation of the Hercules movie was in the works with Guy Ritchie as a possible candidate for helming the project.

Unfortunately, whatever details followed the announcement were pretty vague and inconclusive until recently. To the fans' delight, the Avengers: Endgame directors have revealed in an interview that the project is indeed being developed and that they're currently "waiting on a script." The brothers also touched lightly on what the audience can expect from the upcoming movie, and that is "experimentation." The last two Avengers movies prove the Russos' mighty vision to turn anything into a colossal legend. That's why fans can expect the Hercules adaptation not to be a scene-by-scene adaptation of the original story and that it might be something completely unorthodox.

When Are the Russo Brothers Planning to Release the Remake?

• Guy Ritchie was originally thought to helm the remake project.
• However, rumor has it that he has distanced himself from the Hercules live-action adaptation.

As of now, Disney is full to the brim with its live-action remakes, with releases lining up to 2026. Confirmed projects include Moana, Snow White, and Mufasa: The Line King. So, it might be a while until fans hear anything solid about Hercules' release. Of course, it all depends on how fast production goes, which includes getting a script, a director and a full-fledged cast.

Speaking of the director's chair, when the live-action news spread like wildfire in 2022, the famed English director was immediately booked after his success with Aladdin's live-action remake in 2019. Guy Ritchie is best known for his non-linear storytelling and giving a colorful twist to his characters. Ritchie has recently been busy with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, but it seems that he's even busier for Hercules. According to sources by The DisInsider Show, Guy Ritchie was rumored to be no longer attached to the project back in January 2024. The news wasn't a result of anything controversial; rather, it was believed that Ritchie had just become "too busy" to lead the upcoming live-action remake. Unfortunately, with the driver's seat empty and no valid writing on paper, the project might still just be floating around and still need time to be anchored.

The Fans Have Already Chosen Their "Dream Cast"

With the Russo Brothers still waiting on a script, the casting speculations are still limited to the fandom's fantasies and passion for finding the right faces for the movie. It's been a growing trend, besides releasing intriguing fan theories, that die hard fans have their pick of which celebrities would best fit their favorite animated characters' impersonation. Many fan casts have made their way on the internet that showcase some choices that may or may not lead to any actual casting announcements in the future.

The best pick to play the titular demi-god was the handsome Noah Centineo, who rose to fame with his To All The Boys I've Loved Before series. Alongside Hercules, the beloved Meg would be played by the talented Jodie Comer, whose killer looks and sass would adorn Hades' strong-headed henchwoman. As for the God of thew Underworld's loyal sidekicks, Pain and Panic, fans thought no one would be better than Nick Frost and the loving Simon Pegg. Fans also thought that the likes of Keke Palmer, Amber Riley, Jennifer Hudson, Coco Jones, and Janelle Mona would be perfect for the five Muses, especially if it's meant to be a musical. Overall, the viewers are pretty clear about their choice and excited about the upcoming Hercules remake.

The Potential Cast Members For Hercules Live-Action Remake

• Rumors have been circulating since the remake's announcement about several actors.
• From Ariana Grande to Danny DeVito, Disney is eyeing many named.

Of course, no one would be more perfect than the original voice actor himself to play the role of the beloved satyr who trained heroes. Veteran actor Danny DeVito voiced the original character, and surprisingly, when asked on WIRED's YouTube channel in 2023 about reprising his role in the live-action, the actor was more than keen to take up the role. While the fandom would want nothing more than the right celebrities to play their favorite characters' roles, it all boils down to what the studio is thinking. For instance, in May 2024, rumors erupted that Dune 2 and Elvis superstar Austin Butler was being eyed for the muscular demi-god's role while popstar turned rising actress Dua Lipa was being booked for Megara's role.

No other high-profile names have come out for other roles besides Danny DeVito, who is both a popular choice for the people and the studio for Phil's iconic role. It may also come as a surprise to many that pop sensation Ariana Grande, who is also making a leading appearance in Disney's Wicked, is rumored to be considered for the leading role. Another unconfirmed rumor revealed that the Kingsman actor, Taron Egerton, was also a forerunner in the casting race. Until there is authentic confirmation from the studios, almost anyone is open to playing the characters.

Will the Remake Stay True to the Original Story?

• The Russo Brothers have stated that the remake would be experimental.
• Fans can expect the remake not to follow Disney's formulaic approach.

Like most Disney movies back in the day, Hercules is also a musical that gives a twist to the Greek God's tales of courageousness and heroism. The 1997 animated movie follows the story of a demi-god named Hercules. Zeus' evil brother, Hades, planned to kill Hercules so he couldn't be a threat to his grand plan as prophesized. However, his plans were incomplete, and instead of killing him, Hades only ended up stripping baby Hercules of his godhood and immortality, but his super strength remained intact. Growing up, Hercules felt like an outcast because of his inability to control his immense power, and that's when guidance came to him. He was reunited with his father, the king of the gods who tasked him to become the "true hero" so that he could once again claim his status and return to Mount Olympus. Considering Disney's formulaic approach to remakes, it's possible that, with some exceptions, Hercules might also be an improvised scene-by-scene live-action version of the animated movie.

However, the Russo Brothers implied that the movie isn't going to be a typical musical but rather a modern experiment. This means that the fans might get a heavily modernized and unconventional version of the original story, similar to how Mulan altered its narrative or how Beauty and the Beast even added songs to other characters. It's safe to say that the Hercules remake has a long way to go, especially with the casting choices, since there are heated debates over Disney's recent decisions regarding casting classical characters. Ultimately, this movie might breathe new life into Disney's current underwhelming live-action structure.