Beloved actor Danny DeVito has backed calls for him to reprise the role of the satyr Philoctetes aka Phil, the hero trainer, in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Hercules. Appearing on Wired, DeVito responded more than favorably to the idea of returning to once again transform Hercules from a zero into a hero when the live-action take on the Greek legend lands in theaters some time down the line.
DeVito, who voiced Phil in the 1997 animated original, makes it quite clear that Disney has no other choice than to bring him back when the story leaps into live action. And, as a general rule for life, you should always do what Danny DeVito says is best.
“Will Danny DeVito be in the live-action Hercules? I am the live-action Hercules, what are you talking about. Philoctetes? If they don’t put me in that they don’t have a hair on their ass.”
Production on the live-action Hercules remake is still in its early days, with no casting yet announced. Still, fans have their own suggestions for who should play which role, with the likes of Kingsman: The Secret Service actor Taron Egerton and Man of Steel star Henry Cavill often leading the way in fancasting for Hercules himself. Other suggestions for the title role include the likes of Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 actor Will Poulter.
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While opinions on who should play Hercules are mixed, the consensus is unanimous over who should play Phil, with fans calling for Danny DeVito to return. Now that the actor has expressed his desire to do so, Disney would surely be fools to do anything different.
Hercules Will Pay Homage to the Animated Original
Walt Disney Pictures
Director Guy Ritchie, who helmed the Aladdin live-action remake for Disney back in 2019, has signed on to the Hercules live-action remake, with the project set to be produced by AGBO, the production company run by Avengers: Endgame directors Joe & Anthony Russo.
While little is yet known about the Hercules remake, the Russo Brothers have stated that they will make some changes rather than making a shot-for-shot retelling. Let’s hope one of those changes does not include the recasting of Phil. “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,” Anthony Russo explained. “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.”
The remake, though, will pay homage to the 90s animated original, as Joe Russo explains; “It will certainly pay homage to the original with a more modern spin on it. What Anthony and I love about the original is how funny and subversive it is. I think we try to embrace that sense of humor in the remake.”
Hercules does not yet have a release date. As for Danny DeVito, he can next be seen in Disney’s Haunted Mansion.
