One of Disney’s most beloved villains could be making a major comeback, and this time, he’s taking center stage. According to recent unconfirmed reports, the Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony Russo, the directing duo behind Marvel’s biggest blockbusters, are in a tug of war with Disney over their vision for the upcoming live-action Hercules remake.
The Russos are reportedly pushing to shift the focus from Hercules to the film’s fan-favorite villain, Hades, who stole scenes (and hearts) in the 1997 animated original. But Disney is leaning toward a more faithful adaptation. With no updates on the situation yet, the question remains: will Hades finally get his moment in the spotlight? Here is what’s going on!
What is going on with the live-action Hercules remake?!
Development on the Hercules live-action remake has been simmering for years now. Initially announced in 2020 as reported by THR, the project attached the Russo Brothers as producers through their AGBO production company.
Fast forward to 2022, and Aladdin‘s Guy Ritchie joins the party as the director. But now, reports suggest not everything is going smoothly as fans imagined.
Entertainment scooper Daniel Richtman on his Patreon claims that Disney and Joe and Anthony Russo are at odds over how to retell the story. The duo is reportedly pushing for a shift, centering the plot around Hades, the god of the Underworld, and even renaming the movie Hades. This villain-centric pitch would move away from the original hero’s journey, replacing it with a more unconventional narrative.
Disney, however, is reportedly not on board with this pivot. The studio favors a more faithful adaptation, staying true to the beloved 1997 classic, where Hercules is the heart of the story. With no official release date and the project still in development, the tug-of-war between risk and nostalgia continues. The real question is, will audiences accept a Hercules movie without… well, Hercules?
Hades stole the show once; can he do it again?
Truth be told, Hades did steal the scene in the original Hercules. Voiced by James Woods, the fast-talking, flame-haired god of the Underworld brought a mix of humor, charisma, and danger that made him one of Disney’s most memorable villains.
It’s no surprise the Russo Brothers want to explore more of his story. They’ve hinted in the past that their remake would be “experimental” in tone and style in one interview with Variety, and giving Hades the spotlight would certainly deliver on that promise. Joe Russo said,
Hercules’ [will be] a little bit more experimental in tone, a little bit more experimental in execution. I think they’re excited to see what we can all bring to it in a way that isn’t just a reinterpretation of the animated film
But there’s a catch: renaming the film Hades and downplaying Hercules himself might not sit well with audiences, or Disney (pretty evidently). Fans love a good villain, but not at the cost of losing the hero. It is also crystal clear how fans react when iconic elements are changed too drastically in these live-action adaptations.
The Little Mermaid remake drew backlash for changing the race of Ariel. Snow White faced criticism over casting and the absence of the original seven dwarfs. Even Lilo & Stitch sparked debate, with Cobra Bubbles being one of many reasons people acted out.
Thus, removing Hercules from the forefront entirely might invite similar backlash. So while it’s exciting to explore new paths, striking the right balance between will be key to making this remake a success!
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