Live-action remakes of classic Disney animated movies have been all the rage lately. FromBeauty and the Beaststarring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens to Guy Richie’s most recentAladdinstarring Will Smith, Disney taking another swing at some of their classics doesn’t seem like it’s going to be ending any time soon. And speaking of which, today we have word that casting is starting to heat up for Disney’s planned live-actionHerculesmovie withTrue BloodandThe Legend of Tarzanstar Alexander Skarsgard being the front-runner at this time.
But thisAlexander Skarsgårdcasting news is all merely a rumor at this point in time.
And speaking of rumors, today’s gossip has me wondering about a previous bit of business from a year or so ago that saidVikingsandThe Hunger Gamesstar Alexander Ludwig was thetop pick for the Greek God. While I have no preference over which Alexander may eventually snag the title role in this remake, I was hoping those initial rumors were correct. After all, they also speculated that Disney was looking atAquamanandAll the Boys Love Mandy Lanestar Amber Heard to play live-action Megara andSherlock HolmesandStar Trek Beyondbaddie Benedict Cumberbatch to take on the role of Hades. Now THAT sounds like great casting to this guy!
On top of the rumor thatDisneyis currently seeking out Alexander Skarsgard to take the titular role in their planned live-action adaptation ofHercules, we hear that the powers that be behind the scenes are currently on the look-out for some “outside the box” choices for who could direct the flick and pen the screenplay. Hopefully, we’ll hear more about these positions soon.
Meanwhile, remember that we have a ton of other live-action Disney remakes coming our way soon. One of the most-anticipated is Rob Marshall’sThe Little Mermaidwhich is all set to starHalle Bailey as Ariel, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Awkwafina as Scuttle, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula the Sea Witch. Plus there are also planned remakes in the works such asSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a101 Dalmatiansprequel starring Emma Stone calledCruella, and a new take onHunchback of Notre Damewhich might star Josh Gad.
And let’s not forget that the next Disney “live-action” remake on the chopping block isThe Lion King. The remake features the voice talents of Donald Glover as Simba, along with Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Alfre Woodard as Simba’s mother, Billy Eichner as Timon, John Kani as Rafiki, and John Oliver as Zazu. Florence Kasumba, Eric Andre, and Keegan-Michael Key are all set to join them as Shenzi, Azizi, and Kamari, Scar’s hyena henchmen, along with Shahadi Wright Joseph as young Nala, and JD McCrary as young Simba. And let’s not forget that original voice actor James Earl Jones will thankfully be returning as the voice of Simba’s doomed father, Mufasa.
Iron ManandThe Jungle Bookdirector Jon Favreau helms this new version ofThe Lion Kingfrom a screenplay by Jeff Nathanson based on the original film by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton. Favreau also produces the new version of the classic Disney movie along with Jeffrey Silver and Karen Gilchrist. Hans Zimmer provides the film with its sure-to-be epic score, while Caleb Deschanel handles cinematography, and Mark Livolsi and Adam Gerstel are the movie’s editors. Walt Disney Studios will releaseThe Lion Kinginto a theater near you on August 13, 2025. This story comes to us viaWe Got This Covered.
