HERCULES: The Russo Brothers Say The Live-Action Remake Won't Be A "Literal Translation"

HERCULES: The Russo Brothers Say The Live-Action Remake Won't Be A "Literal Translation"

In a new interview, Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo comment on the live-action remake of Hercules, explaining why it won't necessarily be a "literal translation" of the Disney film...

By JoshWilding - May 08, 2020 04:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Disney
Source: Collider

Disney's live-action remakes have been a mixed bag; some have been shot-for-shot remakes, while others have taken huge liberties and almost told original stories. A few, however, have just added to them with new characters or plot beats, and it sounds like Hercules could fall into that category.

During a recent interview with Collider, Hercules producers Joe and Anthony Russo have shared their love of the original movie, and explained why they plan to make some changes along the way.

"Both us and our kids are Hercules fanatics," said Anthony, when asked how they became involved with the highly anticipated project. "And we had heard that Disney was interested in revisiting it and we’re in love with the original. And we made a case as to why we felt we would be right to produce that film and here we are."

As for how they intend to pay homage to the original film, he added: "Well, I think you always have to bring something new to the table because from our perspective as storytellers, it’s not compelling for us to do a literal translation. We’ve already done that with our Marvel films."

"We don’t do literal translations of the comics because we feel like if you want that story you can go read that story. We’re going to give you a different story. I think we’ll do something that’s in the vein of the original and inspired by it, but we also bring some new elements to the table."

What does that mean for those iconic songs? "We can’t say one way or the other," Anthony continued, noting, "Music will certainly be a part of it." Let's face it, if "Zero to Hero" isn't in there, there's will uproar! However, it's clearly still early days for this one.

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DalekCraigWasson
DalekCraigWasson - 5/8/2020, 5:27 AM
I wonder if they keep or downplay the Superman elements. The original film is pretty different to the actual Greek myths, partly for Disney/tone reasons but also because (as Grant Morrison has pointed out) it's more of an animated Superman film, specifically the Richard Donner films.

Zeus is Jor-El, of course. The Titans are the Phantom Zone villains, trapped for all eternity (so we think). Hercules is sent to Earth and raised by lowly farmers, but once he reaches young adulthood, he is shown his birthright and searches out for his true father, who appears to him as a giant representation that both is and isn't Jor-El/Zeus. Hades has the never ending hatred for said father of Zod but the used car salesman slickness, the toupee jokes and bumbling henchmen of Hackman's Luthor. The love interest, Meg is a dry, sarcastic cynic who can't believe this boy scout exists, and calls him Wonderboy, sort of Superman, Superboy and Lois calling him Smallville all wrapped up into one. Like Superman II, he chooses to become human just as his father's ancient prisoners escape and like Superman the Movie, Lois/Meg dies and Herc/Clark's final heroic action of the film is undoing her death.

There are differences of course (I don't think Phil has a direct analogue, Mt. Olympus doesn't explode, etc.) but it's there.
DalekCraigWasson
DalekCraigWasson - 5/8/2020, 5:34 AM
@RageCipher - Herc has an S curl in his hair too!
Marvelouspoorg
Marvelouspoorg - 5/8/2020, 5:38 AM
@DalekCraigWasson -
WakandanQueen
WakandanQueen - 5/8/2020, 5:31 AM
Don't be afraid to cast up and coming Broadway talent Disney, especially in the roles of Hercules and Meg.
Repian
Repian - 5/8/2020, 5:40 AM
Will the muses be in the movie? If so, Queen Latifah has to be there
soberchimera
soberchimera - 5/8/2020, 5:57 AM
Ugh, enough with the remakes, hopefully Feige still gets them to reboot X-Men. Also, Disney needs to ease up on their family-friendly façade especially when they bend over backwards for a tyrannical government that doesn't give 2 shits about human rights.
Chewtoy
Chewtoy - 5/8/2020, 6:13 AM
This is an easy one to keep most of the songs in, as most are sung my the Muses narrating the story as a (literal) Greek Choir. You don’t have to deal with the characters breaking out into song during the action. Even Meg’s great song is her joining in with the choir.

On a tangent, anyone here reading Lore Olympus? I’m surprised I got sucked into such a soap opera webcomic, but you can’t do soap opera better than with Greek Gods.
GeneralZod
GeneralZod - 5/8/2020, 6:15 AM
Steroid- and HGH-pumped Lou Ferrigno my favorite Hercules.

Reeds2Much
Reeds2Much - 5/8/2020, 6:21 AM
it’s not compelling for us to do a literal translation. We’ve already done that with our Marvel films.

Not to diminish their work since it's pretty much one of the pillars that really established the brand but their translation was pretty loose, and nowhere near literal.

At the very least the Titan fight should be pretty epic.
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