I loveHercules. Disney’s 1997 adaptation of the classic myth has always struck me as being an unprecedented jewel in the Disney Renaissance crown. It was ahead of its time in its variety of music genres, wicked sense of humor, and general willingness to have fun with the formula. And now that the news of the inevitablelive-action remakehas broken, let’s have some fun of our own.
Who should play theHerculescharacters in the live-action version? I’ve got some ideas – and I’d love to hear your ideas, too. Let’s get our fan-casting on!
Vincent Rodriguez III as Hercules
If you know his work onCrazy Ex-Girlfriend, you knowVincent Rodriguez IIIhas everything it takes to play Hercules. Like his name implies, the man is a bonafide triple threat. He can sing, dance, and act with the best of them. Plus: His screen presence is perfectly balanced between “endearing goofball trying his best” and “confident strongman ready to face the day,” which is exactly whatHercules' title role needs. Oh, uh, and if you follow him onInstagram, you, um, know that his physique is “where it needs to be.”
Hailee Steinfeld as Meg
Yes, yes, yes,Ariana Grandedestroyed her performance of"I Won’t Say I’m in Love"on the recent remotely produced Disney singalong special. ButHailee Steinfeldwould make the superior Megara. In works likeThe Edge of SeventeenandDickinson, Steinfeld proves herself as our heir apparent modern screwball comedian, walking the wonderful line between bantering, self-effacing awkwardness and refreshing strength. She would play the comedy of Meg brilliantly, the loving notes of Meg wonderfully, and if you’ve heard her belt thatBumblebeeend credits bop, you know she would ca-rush “Won’t Say I’m in Love.” Apologies to Ari.
Stanley Tucci as Hades
Ya gotta give it up to the Tooch.Stanley Tucciis a slyly powerful performer who can do no wrong – especially when he’s in a “sassy fast-talking mode,” perfect to adaptJames Woods' iconic take on the baddie Hades. Tucci is wonderful at schmoozing until he needs to strike you, like a tempting snake who knows full well the extent of his charming powers. Plus: Tucci has experience in the Disney live action remake game, having stolen the show inBeauty and the Beast.
Key & Peele as Pain & Panic
Pain and Panic are Hades' two bumbling, demonic henchmen, whose names denote their personality types and eccentricities. And there ain’t a comedy duo better-suited to these roles thanKeegan-Michael KeyandJordan Peele. The two crafted one of our great sketch comedy TV shows inKey & Peele, and recently reunited for Disney to play a wonderful buddy duo inToy Story 4. Key, the more high-strung and excitable performer, would be a perfect Panic, whereas Peele’s more interior, guts-first performance style would make an excellent Pain. And watching these two be silly together again would make my heart sing.
Danny DeVito as Phil
Why mess with perfection, you know?
Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo, Lizzo, Amber Riley, and Brittany Howard as The Muses
Amber Rileyhas been mountingquite the social media campaigntrying to get a part as a Muse, the ’60s-girl-group styled storytellers of this adaptation ofHercules. And she deserves the hell out of it, too – a phenomenal musical performer she is! So which four folks do we surround her with? Well,Beyoncé, of course. And then I’d love to see powerhouse vocalistsLizzoandBrittany Howardmake their film acting debuts. Finally:Cynthia Erivohas been doing no wrong lately, and after serious projects likeWidowsandThe Outsider, it would be fun to see her flex and have fun with this role.
Tracey Ullman in Mocap as The Fates
Hear me out:Tracey Ullmanis an absolute chameleon of a performer, an experienced sketch comedian whose character work sparkles with wild differentiation and physical choices. Let’s put her in a mocap suit, allow her to let her freak flag fly as much as she wants in three different directions, and have her play all three Fates. The Fates, responsible for knowing all, seeing all, and deciding when folks' lifelines are cut, are both terrifying and morbidly funny – an absolutely perfect place for Ullman’s wild sensibilities to live. I smell a sneaky Supporting Actress Oscar…
Bruce Campbell and Michelle Yeoh as Zeus and Hera
Recently,Bruce Campbelltweeted a pic of himselfwith a full white beard and cropped white hair, and it made the entire Collider team melt with thirst. Campbell is “Daddy” personified, and this new look makes him perfect to be the daddy not just of Hercules, but of lightning, Mount Olympus, the world, and whatever else Daddy Campbell chooses.Rip Torngave the original warmth and gravity, but I like the idea of Campbell giving the role some winking fun and dare I say groovy energy (can’t you just see some Campbell performance DNA in Rodriguez?). As forMichelle Yeoh, I love the idea of her strong voice-of-reason work being a foil against Campbell’s comedic energy, giving those two a fun dynamic. Plus: Yeoh is equal parts fierce and vulnerable on screen, the perfect combination needed to play this maternal goddess.
