Disney has slowly been giving the live action remake treatment to all their classic animated films over the last decade. Everything fromCinderellatoThe Lion Kinghave received this treatment so far, but now we know of the next Disney classic that will be getting a live-action film. Reported exclusively byDeadline, Disney’sHerculesis the next in line and will be directed byGuy Ritchie. The remake will be produced byJoe and Anthony Russo’s production company AGBO.
That is all we know about the film so far. There are no actors attached to the project or a release window yet, butDave Callahamhas written a first draft and Disney is currently in the process of hiring writers for the remake. The original 1997 film was one of the last Disney Renaissance era pictures, an era which started with 1989sThe Little Mermaid, that left a lasting impact on the hearts of animation fans. Disney’s version followed the classic hero’s journey of Hercules and had a ton of memorable songs like “Zero to Hero” and “Go the Distance”. The voice cast also featured heavy hitters likeDanny Devotoas Phil the satyr,James Woodsas Hades, andTate Donovanas Hercules.
Ritchie is best known for his unique snappy storytelling and visual style found in modern genre classics likeLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,Snatch,Revolver,The Man From U.N.C.L.EandSherlock Holmes. The director has been on a hot streak lately with the hit filmThe Gentlemenand last year’s underrated thrillerWrath of Man. While Ritchie is more known for his action heavy, dark comedy offerings, his remake ofAladdinin 2018 proved he could handle any genre thrown at him.
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At the time, people questioned why Disney would hire Ritchie for a remake of a family friendly musical, but the director managed to capture the heart of what madeAladdinfun while bringing Ritchie’s own sense of style to the project. It’s definitely the director’s most accessible film, but regardless, it was extremely entertaining, the cast was great, and the music was spot on. This remake was also Ritchie’s first billion dollar film which must have made Disney really eager to work with him again. The director’s next film will be the spy action comedyOperation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, which was supposed to come out in March, but was pulled off the schedule and still does not have a new release date.
With how much Ritchie’sAladdinstuck to the original animated film’s source material, expectHerculesto be in that same vein, music and all, rather than something more experimental likeCruella. Until we learn more about this exciting upcoming remake, you’re able to watch the originalHerculeson Disney+ right now.
