Disney’s Hercules was never a massive smash like other animated films from the Mouse House in the late 90s but it did garner a loyal and large following in the years since release. So what if it never rose to the ranks of Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast? People still love the movie and that’s what counts.
Even though it wasn’t one of their larger successes, Disney is still planning on giving Hercules the live-action treatment, just like Cinderella, The Lion King and The Jungle Book before it. THR says Joe and Anthony Russo are producing (but not directing) for Disney via their AGBO Productions. Dave Callaham, the man who wrote The Expendables and Marvel’s upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has been tasked with the script.
The 1997 cartoon was a bright, colorful musical about the Greek legend. Tate Donovan, James Woods and Danny DeVito starred. The animation style was unique, the music was bombastic and Broadway-worthy and the film was a lot of fun. Who knows if this live-action version will maintain that sort of attitude or if it will go for something a bit darker and “real.“ The Russo brothers are comedy guys at the end of the day so hopefully they are looking to keep some of the fun in Hercules.
I know I say it a lot but I am really racking my brain for any Disney hits that have been untouched by the live-action craze. They have pretty much done it all, or so it feels. Meanwhile, The Great Mouse Detective just sits there, patiently waiting for its adaptation.