Summary:
- Joe and Anthony Russo have confirmed that the live-action Hercules remake is in progress, but they’re still waiting for a script.
- Despite recent flops, there’s hope that Guy Ritchie could lead Hercules to match the $1 billion success of his Aladdin film.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo, known for their work on Avengers: Endgame, have provided an encouraging update on Guy Ritchie’s live-action Hercules. Initially announced in the summer of 2022, details about the project have been limited. Joe Russo revealed in late 2022 that development had begun and hinted at an experimental approach inspired by TikTok.
Around the same time, Ritchie expressed his hope to complete the film within the year, though his plans were likely impacted by the subsequent strikes from SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America. Two years have passed, and despite rumors that Ritchie might have stepped away from the project, the film has not yet been produced.
In a recent interview with Total Film, the Russo brothers, who are set to produce the movie, confirmed that they are still “waiting on a script.” They did not address the rumors about Ritchie leaving the project, but their comments confirm that the Hercules remake is still in the works.
Will Ritchie’s Hercules Revive Disney’s Live-Action Remakes?
The excitement surrounding the upcoming Hercules movie, along with the strong fan base of the original animated film, suggests that it could potentially earn $1 billion at the box office.
Disney’s recent live-action remakes like Mulan, Pinocchio, and The Little Mermaid didn’t perform well, with The Little Mermaid just breaking even in 2023 and receiving mixed reviews—67% from critics but 94% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
| Title | RT Score from Critics | RT Score from Audience |
| Mulan | 72% | 46% |
| Cruella | 75% | 97% |
| Pinocchio | 28% | 27% |
| Peter Pan & Wendy | 64% | 11% |
| The Little Mermaid | 67% | 94% |
Guy Ritchie, who directed the live-action Aladdin in 2019, is leading the Hercules project. Despite Aladdin’s lukewarm 57% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences loved it, giving it a 94% approval and helping it earn $1 billion globally.
This audience reaction was similar to The Little Mermaid, suggesting that while critics were not impressed, moviegoers enjoyed the film.
It’s worth noting that Aladdin was released before COVID-19, making $1 billion a tougher goal nowadays. However, recent films like Barbie and Oppenheimer have shown that hitting the $1 billion mark is still possible.
With its built-in fan base and significant buzz, Hercules has the potential not only to hit this box office milestone but also to revive Disney’s fortunes with live-action remakes.
