Who Should Star In Disney's Live-Action 'Hercules'? Let's Fancast

By Kristy Puchko | Film | May 1, 2020 |

Hercules is set to join the ranks of Cinderella, The Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Winnie The Pooh, Lady And The Tramp, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Mulan, as it’s the lastest Disney animated feature to get a live-action adaption in development.

From the looks of its announcement, this Hercules will lean hard into the superhero action vibe. Joe Russo and Anthony Russo (directors of Avengers: Infinity Wars and Avengers: Endgame) are set to produce, while the script is being penned by Dave Callaham, who co-wrote Wonder Woman 1984 and is the sole screenwriter credited on the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

At this time, it’s unknown who will helm, who will star, or even if this will be a musical. It might go the Mulan route. Nonetheless, fans took to Twitter to dream-cast the live-action Hercules remake. Here’s how that breaks down.

Who should play Hercules?
Who will carry the torch for Tate Donovan? Survey says a buff, handsome dude. The contenders (according to Twitter) are:

okay hear me out, THEO JAMES FOR HERCULES:

HE'S HOT

HE'S GREEK

AND HIS NAME LITERALLY TRANSLATES TO GIFT OF GOD pic.twitter.com/elgwsPXqxX
— hereforagoodtimenotalongtime (@Julie_Tzn) April 30, 2020

.@zacefron as live action Hercules pic.twitter.com/BCqYpQnzSJ
— AimeeG (@zanessa12) April 30, 2020

This probably isn't going to happen because "ageism" but Henry Cavill as Hercules would have been amazing.

He could play both the cocky, arrogant rookie & the charming, heroic god. It would have been great. pic.twitter.com/795edYVGZ0
— Jesabel (@JesabelRaay) April 30, 2020

if jelani alladin doesn’t play hercules in the live action hercules movie i will start a riot and fight everyone pic.twitter.com/rxk22LTSQC
— mae 🌻✌🏻 (@mae2701) April 30, 2020

Who should play Meg?

Susan Egan left some big sandals to fill. When it comes to Herc’s sassy love interest, Ariana Grande is a seeming frontrunner, since she recently performed Megara’s love song “I Won’t Say I’m In Love” for The Disney Family Sing-Along.

rumour has it miss grande is gonna be in the live action Hercules shes Meg pewioddd pic.twitter.com/ODlGn9oMtP
— 𝐲𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚⁷ (PROD.SUGA) (@IDOLDAEGU) April 30, 2020

However, Twitter also had other ideas.

now that #Hercules is trending again i would like to take this opportunity once more to remind everyone LIZ GILLIES IS THE ONLY MEGARA THERE CAN BE pic.twitter.com/iQCGyFBu8D
— ʞꙅum ɒƹᴎɘu|Ꮈᴎi (@daniellewowie) April 30, 2020

You can't tell me krysten ritter doesn't have the perfect sass to play Meg in a live action hercules pic.twitter.com/FFwoOB7xQE
— 𝑲𝒆𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝑲𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒓 (@keileykaiser) April 30, 2020

Hear me out i think @wordtoJude should play Meg in #Hercules #Disney pic.twitter.com/CTJd7G2m6k
— Aaron S (@____Commander) April 30, 2020

hear me out

Anna Kendrick for the role of Meg in the live action #Hercules pic.twitter.com/xzzLSfn4jy
— Brie 🍒🌩🥝 (@6coucou9) April 30, 2020

Since they are making a live action #Hercules I hope they find this cast member and cast her as Meg!! She is perfect 😱 pic.twitter.com/yHJQ8p8l49
— Jacqueline ⁷ 🍯🌙 is missing BTS (@ImThirsTaeKim) April 30, 2020

Who should play Hades?

In the animated version, James Woods lent his voice to the underworld villain. Nowadays, he’s a right-wing creep who is regularly booted from Twitter. So, it seems safe to assume Disney won’t invite him back for a reprise. It’s cool. There are other options.

All this talk about the live action Hercules and all I care about is Jeff goldblum playing hades pic.twitter.com/HfhZOIz8hi
— Devyn 🤍 (@devsmith60) April 30, 2020

So Hercules live action?
I can only think of one person as Hades, and it's Benedict Cumberbatch… pic.twitter.com/Cptzpw8ENC
— Laudrawin - Improving artist (@laudrawin) April 30, 2020

Tom Hiddleston will play Hades in Hercules
Tom Hiddleston will play Hades in Hercules
Tom Hiddleston will play Hades in Hercules
Tom Hiddleston will play Hades in Hercules
Tom Hiddleston will play Hades in Hercules pic.twitter.com/m4FrKP5hxA
— 𝐿Ꭷ𝕂𝐈’s Defense Attorney (@poeticlokisxn) April 30, 2020

everybody wanting Tom Hiddleston to play Hades and i'm here like…. #Hercules pic.twitter.com/QdRsHVJgSg
— tom "can't stop crying" cuthbertson (@AnanciDrew) May 1, 2020

Who should play Pain and Panic?

This daffy duo of villainous minions needs charm and sharp comedy timing. They were originally voiced by Bobcat Goldthwait and Matt Frewer, but Twitter users had suggested some beloved comedy partners.

If there's a possible Hercules live action, I want Bill Hader as Hades and Nick Kroll & John Mulaney as Pain and Panic pic.twitter.com/aWQOUlrYbX
— Ka$h_Money (@KarineEm_) April 30, 2020

Pain and Panic in Hercules live action should be played by Key and Peele. pic.twitter.com/C71ZGU5JFQ
— Keon Dion (@keondion) April 30, 2020

someone said Jonah Hill and Michael Cera should play pain and panic in the new Hercules movie and I can’t think of better casting pic.twitter.com/S7eKgoP8B8
— benny (@mascbaby) April 30, 2020

Who should play The Muses?

The Muses were a Greek Chorus who brought an enchanting dose of Gospel (truth) into this ancient myth. Lillias White, Vanéese Y. Thomas, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, and Roz Ryan played the OG versions.

since Hercules is being made into a live action film. here’s the muses' recording session of Disney's Hercules. their vocals were so powerful. pic.twitter.com/N9B0EtPEUE
— c (@chuuzus) April 30, 2020

Here’s who Twitter is picking for a live-action rebrand.

To make it 100% clear if Amber Riley is not a Muse in Hercules…🗣WE AIN'T WATCHING!! pic.twitter.com/QS8EcA5lyR
— VPofPBOA (@pof_v) April 30, 2020

Since Hercules is being made into a live action film (and it’s my favorite Disney movie) here’s my casting choice for the Muses:

Amber Riley
Kelly Rowland
Jennifer Hudson
(Hear me out) SZA
Janelle Monáe pic.twitter.com/cv9NIIqt0X
— JQN Leonard 📷 (@JaquanLeonard) April 30, 2020

them as the muses for the live action Hercules movie 😍 pic.twitter.com/u9mYLtDPIU
— 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 (@EIREIKS) April 30, 2020

heard hercules is getting a live action remake and thought i'd drop the only fan cast i care about. the muses.
kelly rowland, jennifer hudson, keke palmer, coco jones and amber riley. we want dark skinned sisters playing the roles of the muses pic.twitter.com/itGlPrIIq8
— ↺sage☾ (moved from RU3IRIS) (@taeyongjoon) April 30, 2020

Lizzo. Kelly Rowland. Jenifer Hudson. Normani. Ryan Destiny.

Fight me. #Hercules #Muses pic.twitter.com/M7Oy9Y1I7e
— Scarlet Witch’s chaotic cooch (@DecodnLyfe) April 30, 2020

Hercules live action Muses dream cast:

Amber Riley
Anika Noni Rose
Jennifer Hudson
Cynthia Erivo
Yolanda Adams

I said what I said! pic.twitter.com/cChriVX9JK
— Vx (@_vinalexander) April 30, 2020

Who should play Phil?

Danny DeVito was divine as the surly satyr who is the Mickey to Herc’s Rocky. So, the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star was by far the most popular pick among the fancasting calls. Still, some had other thoughts.

The feeling of sheer panic seeing Danny DeVito is trending but LOL that it’s everyone tweeting they want him to play Phil in the live action remake of Hercules. pic.twitter.com/4TTYLQ0Ofp
— Layla Holdway (@LaylaHoldway) April 30, 2020

Look, I know everyone wants Danny Devito in the new Hercules, but hear me out…… pic.twitter.com/hhgovf23PW
— Swabyswab (@Swabyswab1) April 30, 2020

Putting this out into the universe: Oscar Isaac for Phil, the ornery satyr. https://t.co/I9Own9q9z9 pic.twitter.com/N9F9UXV5rk
— Kristy Puchko (@KristyPuchko) April 30, 2020

Or what if…

Disney gets weird with it and takes the suggestion of Pajiba friend, Mashable’s Angie Han?