The Rock in talks to play Hercules for Brett Ratner

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Last year saw the release, and quick demise, of CONAN THE BARBARIAN, which strived to give us a “dark, gritty” take on the Robert E. Howard character. The movie flopped mostly because, let’s face it, it never looked very good, but seemingly one of its biggest mistakes was the casting of relative unknown Jason Momoa as Conan. While physically imposing, the actor was a great big question mark to the public, and in a potential blockbuster of that mold, you need a marque name above the title. Momoa wasn’t it…

But it seems like HERCULES just might have one. According to Variety, none other than Dwayne “THE ROCK” Johnson is in talks to play the titular character for director Brett Ratner. That latter piece of info is no doubt screwing your face into an expression of displeasure as we speak, even though, in all truthfulness, Rat’s hack-ish sensibilities might not hurt a HERCULES movie, per se. (Really, how much greatness will we expect out of this film, anyway?)

Project will be based on Steve Moore’s graphic novel “Hercules: The Thracian Wars”; here’s the synopsis: When the Thracian King summons the Greek hero and his six battle-worn companions to mold the Thracian army into a bloodthirsty, ruthless killing machine, the Son of Zeus rushes to answer the call of war and gold. But within the nation of Thrace lies an epic tale of war, murder, deception, and sacrifice that shows Hercules how far from grace he’s fallen- and what he must accomplish for redemption.

Ryan Condol is penning the screenplay. MGM’s Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber and Jonathan Glickman will produce with Peter Berg and his Film 44 partner Sarah Aubrey. (Berg was at one time considering directing the film.)

CONAN hottie Rachel Nichols