Disney has continued to venture into its existing stories and is planning to do the same by adapting some of its popular stories in live-action. And one of these projects also includes a live-action adaptation of Hercules, which is expected to bring Danny DeVito back as Phil. After a film and an animated series following the mythological character, the studio announced its plans for a live-action adaptation.
The live-action adaptation will be produced by the Russo brothers and directed by Guy Ritchie. And the Twins star, who voiced Phil in the 1997 animation film, would reportedly reprise his role in the upcoming Disney project.
Danny DeVito Expected to Come Back in Hercules Live-Action
Danny DeVito voiced the satyr Philoctetes, who takes on the responsibility of training the son of Zeus, in the 1997 film Hercules. The film follows Hercules after he is banished from Mount Olympus and gets stuck on Earth, where Phil helps him to retain his superhuman strength. However, DeVito did not reprise his role in the 1998 animated series, and Phil was voiced by Robert Costanzo.
Although he did not reprise the role for the animated series, the Taxi actor is expected to come back in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the film. DeVito has expressed his desire to reprise his role as he called out the studio.
“If they don’t put me in that, they don’t have a hair on their as*s, I am the live-action Hercules!” he said during an interview. Fans are also excited to see the Deck the Halls star back as Phil, and many even said that there is “no point to watch” the live-action adaptation if it doesn’t bring back Danny DeVito.
Disney is yet to confirm whether The War of the Roses actor will reprise his role. But it would make sense for him to portray Phil in the live-action, as the animator used his facial expressions and actions to animate the character for the 1997 movie, Hercules.
Eric Goldberg Used Danny DeVito’s Recordings to Animate Phil
Eric Goldberg has designed several characters for Disney and continues to do the same. And during the 2-17 D23 Expo, the American animator shared his inspiration for animating Phil in the 1997 film Hercules. He shared that Danny DeVito had “really different mouth shapes” during his recordings.
Goldberg explained that he watched DeVito’s tapes to animate the shape of Phil’s mouth. Given that the Junior star not only voiced the character but also inspired his appearance in the film, it would be interesting to see DeVito bring the character to life in its live-action adaptation.
There are also multiple assumptions about the cast of the film. Taron Egerton is expected to portray the son of Zeus, Hercules, and Henry Cavill is expected to be Hades in the upcoming Disney adaptation. Many also believe that the Russo brothers may bring some of the Avengers cast on board for Hercules‘ live-action adaptation.
Joe Russo and Anthony Russo have said that the upcoming Hercules film would be a “modern spin” on the original film. The Russo brothers also said that they would try to “embrace that sense of humor” of the original film in the remake. The filming will reportedly not start until 2024, so fans might have to wait a little longer for any confirmation from the studio itself.
The 1997 Hercules is available to stream on Disney+.
Source: The DisInsider
