Disney is reimagining Hercules as a live-action movie, and here's who they should cast in the major roles. Over the last several years, Disney has gone back to its library of animated classics with the intention of remaking these beloved titles in live-action. This business strategy has already seen them tackle Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and more recently Aladdin, but Disney is also developing several other remakes, with a live-action take on Hercules now in the works that will be produced by the Russo Brothers.
The original animated Hercules movie was released in 1997 and put Disney's family-friendly musical twist on Greek mythology. The film was a box office success, and well-received by critics and audiences alike. Given the success of Hercules, Disney made a direct to DVD sequel/prequel in 1999, Hercules: Zero to Hero, and used it to launch an animated series based around Hercules' teenage years. However, the next attempt by Disney to tackle Hercules' story will come with a live-action movie that is intended to be a theatrical release.
Details on the movie are scarce, with it unknown if the new take will have a musical element or embrace more of the fantasy/action element of the story. Although Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is writing the script, no director has been attached and the Russos don't plan on taking that job. The project is still in the early phases of development, but it might not be long before Disney begins discussing who could star in Hercules, as long as everything goes smoothly. And since Hercules is another favorite from Disney's library, fans have already begun suggesting who they want to see in the major Hercules roles. Here are some actors who should be cast in the live-action movie.
Hercules - Glen Powell
There are a multitude of factors needed when casting the leading role of Hercules, and Glen Powell checks just about every box. One of the defining traits of the character is his impeccable physique and even though Powell hasn't had to play a god-like character or superhero before, trailers for Top Gun: Maverick show that packing on the muscles won't be a problem. And, since he is 6 feet tall, Glen Powell could believably pass as a Greek god who is in the prime of his life.
Of course, there is much more to being Hercules than the physical makeup of the character, as the actor cast in the role has to balance being charming and awkward, as well as confident and out of his element. Powell has shown charm in rom-coms like Netflix's Set It Up and confidence in Everybody Wants Some!!, so the range he's displayed points to him being able to pull off Hercules' personality as well. As for the action and potential musical elements required, there's no reason to believe Powell can't be an action star, while his musical background could be put to use in Hercules (even though adult Hercules doesn't have any songs in the animated film).
Phil - Danny DeVito
The satyr Philoctetes, or Phil for short, is with Hercules throughout the majority of the film and Danny DeVito brought the character to life in the animated movie. Instead of recasting Hercules' hot-headed mentor, DeVito is still the perfect choice to play Phil in a live-action Hercules movie. Disney has done this recently by bringing James Earl Jones back to voice Mufasa in The Lion King, and now it could be DeVito's turn to reprise his Disney animated role. Whether Phil's look was pulled off practically or with the aid of VFX, DeVito can still bring the same fire and energy to the role now over two decades later. Plus, the additional time passed could give Phil an appearance and voice that better illustrates how he's trained heroes from Ancient Greece for a long time.
Hades - Bill Hader
Speaking of hot-headed characters from Hercules, the role of Hades, the god of the Underworld, is a particularly juicy role for an actor to snag. Although Disney could be tempted to go after an A-list name like Benedict Cumberbatch or Matthew McConaughey, the best option would be to cast Bill Hader. After breaking through as a comedian on Saturday Night Live, Hader has more recently shifted to a darker role as the star of HBO's Barry. With a full range of comedy and drama, Hades would be Hader's chance to play a somewhat over-the-top villain who could also be terrifying depending on the direction of the movie.
Meg - Ana de Armas
The role of Meg is the other significant spot to fill, as she is the female lead of Hercules, which is why Ana de Armas should be cast. Meg is introduced in the animated film as a damsel in distress but proves to be much more, with her selling her soul to Hades and ultimately falling in love with Hercules. She might just be a regular human, but Meg's beauty and attitude are what catch Hercules' eye. Ana de Armas would certainly be an instantly believable love interest, while Meg's independence, vulnerability, and ability to play both sides gives the character layers for Armas to dive into. It won't be surprising if the live-action Hercules shows more of Meg's story or gives her even more to do, and Ana de Armas could easily handle that. After leading Knives Out and a role in No Time To Die on the horizon, this could be a role and movie that further elevates the career of one of Hollywood's rising stars.
Zeus & Hera - Josh Brolin & Nicole Kidman
Zeus and Hera don't have the largest roles in the animated Hercules movie, but the parents of Wonder Boy still are important parts to cast. To be the all-powerful Zeus, Josh Brolin would make an excellent choice. He's already played larger than life characters with Thanos and has connections to the Russo Brothers as a result and he'd bring real gravitas to the role. It'd be a nice change for him and another chance to potentially show off the physique he got training to be Cable for Deadpool 2. Opposite of Josh Brolin's Zeus, Nicole Kidman would be a great choice for Hera. She has a very small role in the original film but Kidman can easily pass as the Greek god, who is sweet and caring in the animated movie. Whether they both have smaller roles or the live-action take expands what Zeus and Hera do, Brolin and Kidman would make for a powerful couple in Olympus.
The Muses
If the live-action Hercules incorporates musical elements, then The Muses could be the ones who have to carry the burden. They don't have much of a role in the plot in the animated film but rather were featured in some of the best songs: "The Gospel Truth," "Zero to Hero," and "I Won't Say (I'm In Love)." With that in mind, its likely that The Muses will once again be at the forefront of most of the music the live-action take could hold, and so the best casting is an all-star lineup of performers who are known musical artists that have also done some acting: Jennifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, Janelle Monáe, Alicia Keys, and Lizzo. Each of these artists would be big gets for the film and their united talents could make for a diverse musical sound for the film and maybe create a few new songs too.
Other Hercules Characters
There are also some supporting characters from Hercules left to cast. However, based on the character designs in the animated movie, they might be CGI creations in the live-action film and only require voice acting. For instance, Hades' two sidekicks Pain and Panic are bumbling idiots used for comedic effect in the animated film. They could go for big pairings like Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, but a comedy pairing like Jason Mantzoukas and Nick Kroll (who also have done voice work together on Big Mouth) could be a hilarious duo. There's also The Fates, a group of three deities who share an eye and determine which mortals die. The Fates would work as a trio of comedic actresses and the grouping of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Aubrey Plaza would make for fun additions to this cast.
Considering how star-studded Disney's live-action casts have become and the popularity of the remakes at the box office, the studio should have no trouble finding actors who want to be involved in the new Hercules film (and work with the Russo Brothers).