A few days ago we got our first peek at director Renny Harlin‘s take on the sword-and-sandal genre, HERCULES: THE LEGEND BEGINS and now we have a full trailer to contend with. Starring Kellan Lutz as the titular demigod and Scott Adkins as King Amphitryon, the film has got a lower rent feel to it, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you think about it, that’s was the charm of these types of films back in the day, including the old Steve Reeves Hercules films. Cheese and melodrama were always part of the flair.
Take a look:
Here’s the synopsis:
In Ancient Greece 1200 B.C., a queen succumbs to the lust of Zeus to bear a son promised to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the king and restore peace to a land in hardship. But this prince, Hercules, knows nothing of his real identity or his destiny. He desires only one thing: the love of Hebe, Princess of Crete, who has been promised to his own brother. When Hercules learns of his greater purpose, he must choose: to flee with his true love or to fulfill his destiny and become the true hero of his time. The story behind one of the greatest myths is revealed in this action-packed epic – a tale of love, sacrifice and the strength of the human spirit.
Yeah, it looks pretty cheesy, but it’s got the right tone for the B-grade aspect of the genre. Could that work in it’s favor? Absolutely. Could it sink it as well? You betcha. I’m pulling for it, though, as I’ll always be hoping for Renny Harlin to get back in the big leagues and I’m certainly game for an old fashioned genre romp. Hopefully it delivers in the areas it really needs to and doesn’t squander in areas it doesn’t (i.e. more action, less everything else).
HERCULES: THE LEGEND BEGINS starts the high-flying swordplay sometime in March 2014.