Hercules (film)

Hercules would be a 2027 American fantasy musical comedy-adventure film written and directed by James Gunn, with Gunn producing alongside Kevin Feige. The film would be a live-action remake of the 1997 animated Disney film of the same name, itself a loose adaptation of the mythological character of Heracles. The film would star Chris Evans as the title character, alongside Zoe Saldana, as well as the voices of Danny DeVito, James Woods, Jim Carrey, Ernie Sabella, and Frank Welker. Alan Menken and David Zippel would return to re-write the film's songs, with Menken returning to score the film.

Plans for a live-action remake of Hercules would be announced during the D23 Expo 2024, with Gunn being set to write and direct the film. Evans would sign to star in early 2025, with principal photography taken place in Atlanta, Georgia, from July to November 2025. Gunn would draw inspiration on Greek mythology, particualrly Hercules' 12 labors, in order to make it more accuarate to the myths.

Hercules would be released on May 30, 2027, and would meet a positive critical reception, who would praise its direction, faithfulness to the original film, performances, music and humor. The film would also be a critical success, earning 745 million dollars at the box-office over a budget of 150 millions.

Synopsis
In Mount Olympus, Zeus and Hera celebrate the birth of their son, Hercules. However, Zeus' younger brother, Hades, who is plotting to take over the Olympus, orders his minions, Pain and Panic, to turn Hercules into a mortal and kill him. However, they end-up only partially fullfilling the task, leaving Hercules on Earth as a mortal with god-like strength, who is raised by Amphitryon and Alcmene. While growing up, Hercules faces discrimination due to his strength and clumsiness, causing him to wonder where he belongs. This search for answers eventually makes him discover his true heritage by mouth of Zeus. Sadly, Zeus informs him that only a god can live in Mount Olympus, but reveals that, if Hercules becomes true hero, then he will become a god. Hercules then trains under the tutelage of Philoctetes, eventually landing on the city of Thebas. However, Hades becomes aware of his survival, and sends monsters to kill him. As Hercules tries to prove himself to be a true hero, an encounter with the female fattale Megara may cause him to discover where he truly belongs.

Cast

 * Chris Evans as Hercules, a demi-god who is turned into a mortal and left on Earth, forcing him to prove himself a true hero in order to return to Mount Olympus.
 * Zoe Saldana as Megara, a sardonic female fattale with a broken heart who is forced by Hades into finding Hercules' weakness, only to fall in love with him.

Voice cast

 * Danny DeVito as Philoctetes/Phil, a satyr and an old trainer of aspirant heroes who grew disillusioned with his job after being disappoited by his trainees, only to become Hercules' mentor. DeVito, who would reprise his role from the original animated film, would be brougth in to reprise his role as Phil by director James Gunn, who would feel that "his age is a complement to his role".
 * James Woods as Hades, the lord of the underworld and Zeus' brother who, jealous of his brother's position in Mount Olympus, tries to overthrown him, forcing him to target Hercules once he learns that he is a dangerous threat to his plans. Woods would reprise his role from the original animated film.
 * Ernie Sabella as Pain, one of Hades' minions alongside Panic, who ends up usually getting injured. Sabella would reprise his role from the 2019 stage adaptation.
 * Jim Carrey as Panic, one of Hades' minions alongside Pain, who is cowardly, nerveous, paranoid, and at time cynical.
 * Frank Welker as Pegasus, Hercules' winged horse, steed, and best friend who has the personality of both a horse and a bird, througth still is a reliable and loyal friend. Welker would reprise his role from the original animated film.

Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film would have an average rating of 80%, with an average rating of 7/10, based on 273 reviews. The website's consensus would read: "While not in the level of the original film, Hercules is an update with enough charm, fun, and enjoyable music to leave fans of the animated film satisfied, while also giving the rest an enoyable experience". On Metacritic, the film would have a weighted rating of 69 out of 100, based on 46 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Trivia

 * The film would be James Gunn and Kevin Feige's first musical film.
 * The film would mark the fourth time Zoe Saldana appeared in a James Gunn-directed film, after the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.
 * The film would mark the first time Tyler Bates dosen't score a film directed by James Gunn.