Whilst Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson‘s upcoming Hercules is firmly in everyone’s sights, lest we not forget Renny Harlin‘s Hercules: The Legend Begins starring Kellan Lutz (The Expendables 3) as Hercules, Gaia Weiss, Liam McIntyre (Spartacus: War of the Damned) , and Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2).
Whilst Johnson’s version is based on the graphic novel “Hercules: The Thracian Wars,” The Legend Begins, as the title would suggest, relates the origins of the character. Appearing at the New York Comic Con, Harlin explained how his Hercules would find himself having to cope not only with the discovery that he is in fact a demigod and son of Zeus but also with his own “dysfunctional family” and a problematic love life.
Harlin went on to explain that the demigod’s mission in life “is not just to have some sword fights, and make love to a beautiful girl; your mission is much grander than that and you have a destiny that you have to fulfill in your life.”
Another thing we shouldn’t expect in this version is a bulking demigod ‘a la Dwayne Johnson’. When discussing the physique of the character Harlin explained:
“My one advice to Kellan was, because he already looked so awesome, I said, ‘Let’s not create a stereotype of Hercules who is just a guy with giant muscles and carries big rocks. Let’s create a real character.’ And I said, ‘Get cut. Look great, but I don’t want you to be giant.'”
Harlin also chose to film the project in 3D from the word go, rather than a 2D shoot requiring post-processing as he commented on how disappointed he was with so many movies to date that “just didn’t look that good.” Before you all worry that it’s going to be all about Hercules waving his hefty sword at the audience, the director said: “That’s not what 3D’s about… 3D is about creating a world where you feel like you’re inside it and it’s your world where you’re experiencing it with the characters.”
Actions speak louder than words so all of the above was supported with the very first trailer. Whilst festivalgoers weren’t treated to a 3D screening of the trailer it certainly provides plenty of insight into the action, romance and lavish scenery we can expect when the film hits UK cinemas on August 8th, 2014. We’ll leave you with said trailer and urge you to also check out Harlin’s latest film, the massively underrated The Dyatlov Pass Incident.
