Disney expected to cast Michael B. Jordan in live-action ‘Hercules’

Image source: Disney (right)/MGM (left)

renew: According to reports on January 17, director Guy Ritchie has exited the live-action remake.As Nathan Kamal writes in Inside the Magic, “At this point, Disney Hercules The remake leaves more questions than answers. “

While the crowd waits snow White (2024) is the next entry in Disney’s live-action universe, and many are looking to the future of House of Mouse.There is also a real-life version Hercules The film will reportedly star Marvel star Michael B. Jordan (black panther) as the titular Greek god.

Over the past few years, The Walt Disney Company’s efforts to retell its classic animated stories in live-action form have received mixed reviews. Some fans love seeing their favorite characters resurrected in new ways, but others prefer one of the most famous entertainment forces in history to deliver an original story rather than a retelling.

But live-action movies aren’t slowing down.Next year we will see the much discussed snow White

, starring Rachel Ziegler and Gal Gadot as Snow White and the Evil Queen respectively. This film is adapted from Walt Disney’s first feature film, snow white and the seven dwarfs (1937) is expected to be released in March 2024. Controversy raged, in part due to Disney’s changes to the story, as well as comments from star Rachel Ziegler, snow White could be a turning point for the Walt Disney Company and its ongoing live-action film efforts.

look back at past snow Whitewith more films planned to join the already included catalog alice in wonderland (2010), beauty and the Beast (2017), Aladdin (2019), lion king (2019), and little mermaid (2023).

Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), Moana (2025), Hercules (to be determined), Lilo & Stitch (to be determined), and Bambi (TBD) and so on are in the pipeline. Information about various live-action movies has been leaking out for months.For example, we know Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions will co-produce Moana In partnership with Disney, the former professional wrestler will reprise his role as Maui.we also know Bambi According to reports, scenes from The Death of Bambi’s Mother and Guy Ritchie will be adapted (Aladdin) will direct the Russo Brothers’ production of Hercules.

Speaking of HerculesFor now, all we know is that Guy Ritchie is directing — following up on his billion-dollar film Aladdin —Also Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (Avengers: Endgame) is being produced by Dave Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

) Click to write a script.

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Over the past few years, speculation has swirled about who might donate Hercules’ classic golden armor and turn the character into a real person. Inside the Magic reported in 2021 that Disney was seeking a non-white actor to play the eponymous character, a year after fans debated who they thought should carry on the Greek hero’s legacy trade off. Rocket Man (2019) actor Taron Egerton is also the apparent frontrunner for the role, although the studio is reportedly looking for a non-white lead.

There is one name that has stuck around to this day and has been used for many years, and that is black panther Franchise star Michael B. Jordan.Jordan’s latest movies starring black panther sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) and Creed III (2023). For the latter, he made his directorial debut, playing the eponymous character Adonis Creed in the boxing drama.

When it comes to casting for the live-action version, multiple sources have brought Jordan’s name back to the ring. Herculeswhich could be a sign that the Walt Disney Company is looking for the popular actor.

However, the consequences of casting non-white actors to play characters originally portrayed as white have sparked discussions about who should play these roles. Some Disney “fans” have claimed time and time again that adaptations should not stray too far from the source material, leading to actors like Halle Bailey and Rachel Ziegler receiving backlash for playing the mermaids Ariel and Snow White respectively.

RELATED: New right-wing Snow White actress takes over to star in another live-action remake

While Disney has yet to confirm anything, Michael B. Jordan’s name has been bandied about a lot over the past few years, which makes sense given his action star status. There have been rumors about Hercules’ love interest and all-around fan favorite Meg, actress and singer Ariana Grande for years.

original Hercules The animation debuted in 1997, starring Tate Donovan/Josh Keaton/Roger Bart as Hercules, Susan Egan as Meg, James Woods as Hades, and Danny De Vito plays Phil.

Would you like to see Michael B. Jordan in action? Hercules? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!

This story was originally published on October 20, 2023.