Disney’s Hercules remake reportedly wants to be like TikTok, but it’s an unimaginable feat without some of its original characters. Released in 1997, the animated musical Hercules became a cult classic of Disney’s renaissance. However, after an animated series and a stage adaptation, in 2020, media outlets reported that Disney was working on a live-action remake. Claimed to be loosely inspired but “in the vein of the original,” producers Anthony and Joe Russo established the new Hercules as a modernized reimagining of the animated film, inspired by the video platform TikTok. As more details became revealed about Hercules’ creative choices, audiences were curious and excited about what it’d look like on the big screen.
Like many of Disney’s animated movies in the 90s, one of Hercules’ highlights was its pop-gospel soundtrack. Gleefully brought to life by the film’s take on the Muses of Greek mythology, they managed to outshine the film’s main cast in many respects and continued to inspire audiences over two decades after their big debut. Filled with personality and trusted with some of Disney’s best songs, it’d be impossible to imagine a new TikTok-inspired film without Hercules’ iconic singing sisters.
How The Muses Stole The Show In Disney's Hercules
Hercules' modern take on the traditional Greek chorus, The Muses were as much narrators as they were a first-class act. The Muses’ clever commentary and catchy musical numbers made them fan favorites. Although mainly acting from the background, Calliope, Clio, Melpomene, Terpsichore, and Thalia resonated so much with audiences that they could get them to sing along to classics from their soundtrack like “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” or reference quotes like "Honey, you mean Hunk-ules!”
Their popularity is undeniable, as the charming chorus even had additional returns beyond Disney’s original Hercules. The Muses returned in the prequel cartoon Hercules: The Animated Series and made cameos in shows like Phineas and Ferb. Additionally, The Muses are still represented over two decades later by cosplayers and in Disney’s merchandising. It’s strange that background characters could garner as much love as Hercules’ main protagonists, but it speaks to the power of witty writing, a talented cast, and representation.
Will The Muses Return In Disney's Live-Action Hercules?
Disney hasn’t forgotten about Hercules’ fan-favorite characters; besides on merchandise, they’ve appeared as recently as 2022 in Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Season 1, Episode 20, “Daisy and The Muses.” However, as for the live-action Hercules remake, it’s been more or less telegraphed that Thalia and her sisters will return for it. Between a more modern take and a promised TikTok aesthetic, it’s safe to say they’ll return. Already audiences are assembling their perfect live-action Hercules cast with TikTok content creators like Lizzo and stars like Glee’s Amber Riley, showing there’s a demand for The Muses to return, and an opportunity Disney won’t neglect. After all, Hercules’ five singing narrators gave the animated film a unique identity and one of the best Disney soundtracks of all time.
Disney has a pantheon of classic animated characters and new ways to make them speak to modern audiences. Hercules wouldn’t have gone as far as it did, nor would it have gotten a live-action remake had it not been for its musical cast of Muses. If the Russo Brothers want to honor the original Hercules and draw inspiration from TikTok, there’s no better way in a Disney live-action remake than to give The Muses another chance to sing on the big screen.