Actress/singer Amber Riley is making it known she's available to play one of the Muses in Disney's upcoming live-action Hercules. Riley is no stranger to musical TV shows and movies, having starred on Fox's Glee as Mercedes Jones. Though that's where she got her start, Riley has since gone on to win Dancing with the Stars, as well as guest-starring on shows like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. She's performed in several stage productions also played a role in NBC's The Wiz Live! Riley also has a preexisting relationship with Disney, as she emceed ABC's The Little Mermaid Live! special last year. Most recently, she covered the Frozen staple "Let It Go" for The Disney Family Singalong earlier this month.
Hercules is one of Disney's classic animated features from the '90s. It worked to make Greek mythology accessible and entertaining for kids by using catchy songs and fun characters. Though Hercules, Hades, and Megara are the stars of the film, the Muses play an important role as well. The five serve as narrators and are often credited with helping Hercules stand apart from other Disney movies. The Muses are also key to the film's soundtrack, as they can be heard on many songs, especially the fan favorite "Zero to Hero." However, "Go the Distance" is arguably Hercules' most well-known song and was also nominated for an Academy Award.
Now, Amber Riley is throwing her hat into the ring, letting Disney know she's available to play a Muse in the just announced live-action Hercules. In a tweet, she referenced her past relationship with Disney, mentioning the studio and saying, "Um, hello Disney Studios remember me!" She also hashtagged her tweet #AmberAsAMuse for good measure.
The live-action Hercules movie will join several others that have already been released by Disney. Over the last several years, the studio has found immense success with its live-action updates. Disney was set to release another, Mulan, last month, though it was unfortunately delayed due to the coronavirus. The studio has over a dozen more in various stages of production and development, including Cruella, The Little Mermaid, and Bambi. The live-action movies have drawn in big names, including Emma Stone, Angelina Jolie, and Emma Watson.
Riley is actually a great choice for one of the Muses in Hercules. She's proven herself to be an excellent and reliable performer throughout her career. She also has the singing chops required for the Muses, having performed on live TV multiple times. With so many other live-action updates in the works at Disney right now, it will probably be a while before the Hercules movie gets to the casting phase. However, when it does, Riley seems like a solid choice.
Source: Amber Riley