The Fancasting Room | Casting Disney’s Live-Action ‘Hercules’

It’s largely expected that Disney is going to announce the active development of a live action remake of Hercules at D23 next month. It’s only a matter of time given Disney’s recent hot streak with their live-action remakes.

Aladdin and The Lion King are absolutely crushing it at the box office this year. Really, the majority of Disney’s live-action remakes have all been successful financially so far. Don’t expect this live-action remake train to slow down anytime soon!

Hercules is another one of their extremely popular and recognizable animated classics with a large following, one for which fans have been clamoring since this remake renaissance began.

It’s one of my personal favorites and the idea of a live-action remake has me really excited! So much so that I decided to fancast the film for Disney.

Channing Tatum as ‘Hercules’

Channing Tatum has been MIA as of late. There was once a time where he was one of the most bankable stars working in Hollywood. He has the looks, the acting ability, and as 21 Jump Street showcased, he’s hilarious. Yet, where has he been?!

He was supposed to headline his own Gambit film within the X-Men universe, but after all the production delays, director changes and Disney’s purchase of Fox’s film assets, it doesn’t look like Gambit is happening anymore. Tatum needs a role to thrust him back into the spotlight. ‘Hercules’ would be a role to do that and Tatum would absolutely crush.

Emmy Rossum as ‘Megara’

Emmy Rossum isn’t a big movie star because she has kept her talents mostly to starring in television shows or directing them. She has a decent amount of film credits, but her work on TV shows like Showtime’s Shameless showcase what a talented actress she really is.

Her role in Shameless as Fiona Gallagher, the big sister turned family matriarch, really shows how much range Rossum possesses. Her role is a multifaceted and complex one, which highlights her versatility. She has an attitude and presence about her that just screams Megara. This would be a big-time role for Rossum, one she could channel her inner Fiona Gallagher for and have some fun.

Jeff Bridges as ‘Zeus’

I mean, is there any other option? Jeff Bridges is an absolute legend. It is only fitting that a true legend should portray the most powerful Greek God. Bridges knocks every role he takes out of the park with ease. His mere presence elevates not only his role, but every one of his scenes.

He’s had many roles over the years, which are iconic thanks to Bridges’ performances. Not that a live-action Disney remake of one of their most beloved films needs any help, but casting someone like Bridges could help even sure fire box-office hits like this one is guaranteed to become.

Cate Blanchett as ‘Hera’

Cate Blanchett was the only actress that came to mind when thinking of who to cast as Hera. She has an impeccable track record and is one of the greatest actresses working today. Her on-screen presence commands the audiences attention. Not to mention, she’s no stranger to playing badass female characters.

She already has a solid working relationship with Disney as most recently one of the best MCU villains to date with her performance as Hela in Thor Ragnarok. See? She even has experience playing goddesses already. Blanchett and Bridges as Zeus and Hera? Can you say power couple?!

Peter Dinklage as ‘Phil’

Recasting this role really pains me. It’s hard to imagine anybody other than Danny DeVito playing this role, but I just can’t imagine Disney putting DeVito in a live-action adaptation as a plump, half-man/half-goat hybrid. It’s his voice that is the most irreplaceable aspect of his previous performance as Phil.

This leads us to the great Peter Dinklage. Yes, I’ll admit, the candidate choices were thin due to the small stature of the character, but Dinklage isn’t good for this role just because he’s small. He’s by far one of the most talented actors working today. His role as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones is iconic. He’s a true character actor and would do DeVito proud taking over as the trainer of the gods.

James Woods as ‘Hades’

Now this is a role that simply cannot be recast. Like James Earl Jones returning as Mufasa in the live-action remake of The Lion King, James Woods is synonymous with his role as Hades. It’s impossible to imagine anybody playing this character and having the same impact on the story as Woods did in the original.

Bringing Woods back for Hades is a must.

The way he delivers his deliciously evil and hammy lines are irreplaceable. Also, watching the banter between Bridges and Woods playing brothers Zeus and Hades would be too good to pass up. This is James Woods’ role. Disney needs to bring him back for this remake or risk the film feeling like it is missing something.

Jonah Hill, Jake Johnson as ‘Panic and Pain’

Like Timon and Pumbaa in The Lion King adaptation, the roles of Pain and Panic require recognizable comedic voices. These two would be the comedic relief of the original film. As Hades’ henchmen, they constantly mess up in hilarious ways causing Hades to ruthlessly berate them. If you remember the original, the scenes with Pain and Panic provide the most of the hilarious moments in the film.

Jonah Hill and Jake Johnson are two of the funniest guys working in Hollywood today. Hill has starred in some of the most iconic comedy films of this decade like Superbad and Get Him to the Greek, while Johnson is most well-known for his role as Nick Miller in Fox’s New Girl. These two actors would play well off each other and give us some truly hilarious dialogue.