MGM is finishing up development on an upcoming adaptation of the Hercules story based on classic Greek myths.
Specifically, it will be based on the Radical Publishing comics adaptations of the story, The Thracian Wars, which was penned by Steve Moore, a UK comic book writer famous mostly for his patronage of and later collaborations with the more famous Alan Moore (no relation).
The books were adapted for the screen by Ryan Condol, and will be produced by MGM’s Roger Birnaum and a team from Film 44. Brett Ratner is signed on to direct.
Ratner seems like an unlikely choice, as most of his directorial experience has been in dramedies and an occasional slapstick film. He did direct the third X-Men move a few years back, but that’s the only experience he has with action films.
The only name associated with the other side of the camera as of yet is Dwayne Johnson, who is reportedly in talks to play the lead. Johnson can be seen currently in Journey 2, which is terrible, and is in the upcoming G.I. Joe sequel. He’s not considered a highly talented actor, but the plot of this film may at least lend itself to his few strengths.
The synopsis for the graphic novel is thus:
Fourteen-hundred years ago, a tormented soul walked the Earth that was neither man nor god. Hercules, powerful son of the god king Zeus, received nothing but suffering his entire life. After twelve arduous labors and the loss of his family, this dark, world-weary soul turned his back on the gods, finding his only solace in bloody battle. Over the years he warmed to the company of six similar souls, their only bond being their love of fighting and the presence of death. These men and woman never question where, why, or whom they go to fight; only how much they will be paid. Knowing this, the King of Thrace has hired these mercenaries to train his men to become the greatest army of all time. Hercules begins to question King Cotys’ motives when he takes his army out to battle and sees them practice on innocent men, women, and children of their neighbors. Deep in his soul something stirs, but is it enough to stop a mad king and his army of the damned from marching across Greece – or even Olympus itself?!
Hercules has no announced production or release dates.
