Disney’s live-action remake of Hercules is moving ahead, but it’s facing creative roadblocks. The project, led by the Russo Brothers—known for the Avengers movies—has been in the works for some time, but insiders report disagreements behind the scenes.
According to industry reporter Daniel Richtman, “creative tensions” have developed between the Russo Brothers and Disney. The Russos reportedly want to shift the story’s focus to Hades, the god of the underworld, and possibly even rename the movie after him. Disney, on the other hand, prefers a more faithful retelling of their 1997 animated classic. At this point, it’s unclear if both sides have reached an agreement. The project remains in early development as the Russos stay busy with their next Avengers film.
Originally, Guy Ritchie was set to direct Hercules, with the Russos producing. Early 2024 rumors suggested Ritchie had left the project, but nothing has been officially confirmed. The Russos recently said they are still “waiting on a script,” but it’s unknown who is currently writing it. Dave Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) was attached to write when the news first broke in 2020, but his involvement now is also uncertain.
After the Snow White remake disastery, Disney began pulling back on live-action remakes, starting with Tangled. However, last month’s Lilo & Stitch live action remake did much better than expected, giving the studio new hope for these projects. Even so, most remakes—including Hercules—seem to be on hold or moving very slowly.
The only live-action remake currently confirmed for release is Moana, starring Dwayne Johnson. It’s scheduled for July 10, 2026. Other rumored projects include Cruella 2, The Jungle Book 2, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Aristocrats, but none have official release dates. The success of Moana will likely decide if Disney moves forward with more remakes in the future.
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