"Hercules" Is Getting A Live-Action Movie, So Here's Who People Think Should Be Cast

1 year ago 8

Jennifer Hudson, I'm not saying you have to clear your schedule for this project. I'm just saying it would make a lot of people (me) very happy.

Hercules fans, Disney enthusiasts, and Greek mythology nerds, stand up! If you haven't yet heard, Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Pictures, recently told the New York Times that a live-action remake of Disney's beloved 1997 animated movie Hercules is currently in development.

The animated Hercules with shield

Disney

Other live-action remakes that were mentioned included Moana, Lilo & Stitch, and a prequel to The Lion King, titled Mufasa: The Lion King. Sean also noted that Hocus Pocus 3 is in the works. 

Though the Hercules live-action remake isn't necessarily new news, since the Russo brothers confirmed with Variety late last year that they were going to produce the film, Sean's further confirmation stirred up some very passionate discourse in the Twittersphere about casting.

This app might finally slip into an abyss when they announce the casting for this. https://t.co/4ouPdgslqT

— this barbie hosts ✨The Afternoon Special✨ (@hiimbobbi) June 6, 2023

Twitter: @hiimbobbi

And TBH, the fervor is justified, especially after the intense backlash the Lilo & Stitch remake received for its Nani casting.

That said, here's who people think should be cast in the highly anticipated live-action remake of Hercules — and I wanna know in the comments if you agree!

1. The Muses

Muses Thalia, Melpomene, Calliope, Clio, and Terpsichore

Disney

This is arguably the most important casting decision in the history of Disney live-action remakes, so I speak for the masses when I say Disney has to get it right. Otherwise, what's the point?! 

Jennifer smiling and wearing a shiny paneled outfit, and animated Calliope in a golden outfit

Todd Williamson / NBC / NBC via Getty Images, Disney

That was basically an audition tape — sorry, I don't make the rules!

Jazmine Sullivan and Amber Riley:

Just give Jazmine and Amber Riley their spots now

— ICY❄️ (@00isis7) June 5, 2023

@scientistmike35 / @00isis7 / Disney / Via Twitter: @00isis7

Smiling Jazmine and smiling animated Melpomene

Taylor Hill / WireImage, Disney

Amber, wearing large hoop earrings and a strapless outfit, and animated Thalia

Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images, Disney

After watching Amber and Jennifer duet together, I'm going to sleep with a crystal every night and speak this casting into existence every morning so it can manifest itself into reality. Amber would really bring Thalia — who's the muse of comedy — to life! Gleeks would know.

Alternatively, Lizzo is also a top pick to play Thalia, but TBH, I'm making an executive decision and casting her as Terpsichore:

@kissyyhrry / Atlantic Records / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @kissyyhrry

I say this because Terspichore is the muse of dance, and in fact, she also plays the flute! Not to get ahead of myself, but imagine if Lizzo had a scene totally shredding it on the flute!!!! Iconic.

Close-up of Lizzo smiling and animated Terpsichore

Taylor Hill / Getty Images, Disney

Lizzo herself actually reacted to fans casting her as Thalia in a TikTok, agreeing that she's more akin to Terpsichore as well. Honestly, Disney, just let me into the casting room. 

Cynthia Erivo:

Lizzo, Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson, Amber Riley and Keke Palmer.

THAT’S who i want to play the muses in the live action Hercules

— Max Gill (@Mxxgll) August 14, 2021

@Mxxgll / Via Twitter: @Mxxgll

Close-up of Cynthia in a sparkly costume and animated Clio

Gareth Cattermole / BAFTA / Getty Images for BAFTA, Disney

No matter which muse she plays, fans just want Cynthia, PERIOD. 

Keke in a strapless outfit and animated Terpsichore

Mike Coppola / Getty Images, Disney

Keke singing "Zero to Hero" simply gets me through the day. 

I think we can all agree that Danny DeVito simply needs to reprise his role. Like, I'm so sure we're all on the same page about this:

@shoe0nhead / Disney / Via Twitter: @shoe0nhead

Close-up of Danny smiling and animated Phil

Santiago Felipe / Getty Images, Disney

Seriously, there's no other person people want.

Close-up of Steve and animated Hades

Gary Gershoff / Getty Images, Disney

Call me uncultured, but I literally thought he played Hades this whole time.

Close-up of Willem in a suit and animated Hades

Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Quiver Distribution, Disney

The one and only Jeff Goldblum:

Jeff Goldblum as Hades in the live-action Hercules, please.

— sincerely, ivy marie. 💫 (@sincerelyivy) April 30, 2020

@sincerelyivy / Via Twitter: @sincerelyivy

Close-up of bespectacled Jeff in a hoodie and animated Hades

Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images, Disney

And lastly, I would literally fall to my knees in excitement if this happened — Jennifer Coolidge:

@ConnorLounsbury / Disney / Via Twitter: @ConnorLounsbury

Close-up of Jennifer and Hades

Steve Granitz / FilmMagic, Disney

OK, here's where I think we get into controversial territory. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Hercules, anybody?

My picks…

Hercules — Dwayne Johnson
Phil — Danny DeVito
Hades — Paul Giamatti
Meg — Chloe Bailey
Zeus — Jeff Bridges
Hera — Dionne Warwick
Muses — Beyoncé, Janelle Monáe, Adele https://t.co/wqqRlDU9cK

— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) June 5, 2023

@cmclymer / Disney / Via Twitter: @cmclymer

Sorry, but the number of faves is a little concerning...

Close-up of The Rock in a bow tie and animated Hercules

Kayla Oaddams / WireImage, Disney

Jared Keeso is also in the running, thanks to his proportions:

@Coelasquid / Hulu / Disney / Via Twitter: @Coelasquid

Close-up of Jared in a suit and tie and an animated Hercules

George Pimentel / WireImage, Disney

And finally, this person posed the question, and the fans answered. Taron Egerton:

What about Taron Egerton for Hercules?

— Daniel Richtman #BlackLivesMatter (@DanielRPK) May 12, 2020

@DanielRPK / Via Twitter: @DanielRPK

Close-up of Taron in a bow tie and an animated Hercules

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images, Disney

5. Now, for the grand finale, let's see who people are fan-casting as *drum roll* Megara.

Close-up of Jessica in a sleeveless outfit and animated Megara

Frazer Harrison / WireImage, Disney

Jessica played Vanessa in Disney's live-action The Little Mermaid, and she did it so well that people want to see more of her ASAP!

Ariana Grande:

@swtnrdaisy / Disney / ABC / youtube.com / Via Twitter: @swtnrdaisy

After Ariana's done playing Glinda, maybe she'll be down for another musical turned live action 👀.

Close-up of Ariana in a strapless outfit and animated Megara

Steve Granitz / WireImage, Disney

Close-up of Elizabeth and an animated Megara

Jerod Harris / FilmMagic, Disney

Not gonna lie, I would LOVE for Liz to play Meg. She has the voice, and I'm sure she could do a great job acting the part as well. I'm officially joining the campaign.

OK, how are we feeling? There were definitely some...interesting choices, but also some great ones! Let me know in the comments who you'd fan-cast for the live-action Hercules!

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