The battle of the rival Hercules movies heats up with the news, via THR, that Kellan Lutz has nabbed the title role in Renny Harlin’s $70 million take on the legendary Greek character. The film is in direct competition with another Hercules movie, which Brett Ratner is slated to direct with Dwayne Johnson set to star. Both movies are due to shoot in the next few months.
Harlin’s flick is going under the title Hercules 3D, and while exact plot details are being kept secret, it is known that it will centre on the love between the son of Zeus and the mortal princess of Crete, who was promised to his older brother despite her love for Hercules. It seems this film will delve into the more mythological aspect of Hercules, while the idea behind Johnson’s film is to be slightly more realistic by eschewing the supernatural elements.
Harlin comments on the casting, “It takes more than a good physique to portray the most legendary, mythological personality in history and Kellan has exactly that, personality. He’s not afraid to explore the strengths and vulnerabilities of the character, and he impressed me with his passion and heart.”
It won’t be Lutz’s first brush with Greek mythology, as he played Poseidon in 2011’s Immortals.