Aladdin Director Guy Ritchie To Helm Live-Action Hercules Film

Guy Ritchie is reuniting with Disney to direct the studio's upcoming live-action adaptation of its animated classic Hercules.

The Sherlock Holmes director previously helmed the hugely successful live-action remake of Aladdin in 2019, starring Will Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott.

The new version of Aladdin grossed more than a billion dollars at the worldwide box office and became the ninth highest grossing film of the year with a total taking of $1,051,693,953.

Walt Disney Pictures.

Deadline reports Disney's deal to work with Ritchie again was made last month and the search for a screenwriter is currently underway.

Tyla has contacted Disney for comment.

Disney’s animated Hercules film was released in 1997 and has established a cult audience for its fantastical storyline and catchy musical numbers.

The film is loosely based on the hero Heracles, the son of Zeus in Greek mythology.

Hercules has spawned a direct-to-video prequel titled Hercules: Zero to Hero which itself served as the pilot to Hercules: The Animated Series, which aired between 1998 and 1999.

A cinematic sequel was planned, Hercules II: The Trojan War, which would have featured Hercules living in Athens with Megara and their daughter, Hebe. However the project was ultimately cancelled when John Lasseter was named Disney’s chief creative officer and he decided to refocus the studio’s slate in favour of original films and spin-offs rather than sequels.

Alamy.

News of the remake was announced in April 2020, with Jeffrey Silver and Karen Gilchrist, who produced the 2019 remake of The Lion King, set to produce Hercules.

It is currently unclear if the live-action film will feature songs from the original film, which were composed by Disney legend and award-winning composer Alan Menken.

Although the cast has not been announced, social media has weighed in on who it would like to see in the leading roles. Ariana Grande fans have already expressed how much they want to see the ‘Thank U, Next’ hitmaker play Megara in the live-action film.

Disney fans have also called for Lizzo to snag a role in the film after her 2021 ‘Rumors’ music video drew comparisons to the five Muses, the Greek chorus who sing various gospel-infused songs throughout the film.

In an exclusive interview with Tyla, Academy Award, Golden Globe, Grammy and Tony Award winner Jennifer Hudson expressed her wish to play Calliope – one of the Muses – in the upcoming blockbuster, having previously played her on a Disney cruise ship before finding fame.

“That was the only acting credit I had [at the time],” she said. “I already know the track. I am ready!”

Walt Disney Pictures.

The new Hercules film follows a growing list of Disney remakes including Aladdin, Dumbo, Lady and the Tramp and The Lion King, all of which were released in 2019.

Disney has also reimagined animated classics including Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and the hotly anticipated remake of Pinocchio starring Tom Hanks.

The studio has also released live-action films inspired by some of their most terrifying villains, including 101 Dalmatians spin-off Cruella starring Emma Stone as Cruella de Vil, and not one but two Maleficent films with Angelina Jolie in the titular role. 

Disney fans also have an undated Little Mermaid live-action film starring Halle Bailey as Ariel and a reimagined Snow White film with West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot set to play Snow White and the Evil Queen respectively. The movie is currently in production.