There are so many fabulous actors that come to mind when thinking about the lead role for Disney's live-action Hercules. People like Chris Hemsworth, Zac Efron, Henry Cavil,l and Brad Pitt have log been in the contention in many people’s minds because they all fit the brief of sweet and humble turned muscly hero, at some point in their career.
But at its heart, Hercules is a coming of age story, about a young man who must find out who he is capable of being, for himself, before he can realize who he is capable of being for those that need him. There are some truly talented actors who would do a great job at playing one of Disney’s best heroes:
Richard Madden
Richard Madden is a strong candidate for obvious reasons. He is handsome, charming, and has plenty of experience in playing characters that fit the bill of being selfless, loyal, strong and yet vulnerable, like his portrayal of Robb Stark in Game of Thrones, or his portrayal of the prince in Cinderella. His cheeky, often love-struck smile makes him a great candidate for the role, fans already picturing him swooning over Meg while the cherubs sing softly in the background - it’s also a great bonus he can sing too! Although Richard Madden is in his mid-thirties, many fans feel that he can still pull of this inquisitive and aspiring young character.
Regé-Jean Page
Regé-Jean Page took the world by storm with his appearance as Simon in the first season of Bridgerton. This man just exudes sex appeal, with his chiseled body, his daring smile, and all the charisma that you would expect to find in the son of Zeus. But Page has also demonstrated that he can portray the more gentle side of Hercules’ character, which are so vital for the development of his character arch, and the way in which he views the world from the guise of humility and love. This is, after all, what makes Hercules a true hero: not his muscles or his brave acts, or the monsters he defeats, but the fact that he is willing to give up all of that, and even his own life, for the love of Megara.
Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton, most known for his portrayal of Eggsy in the Kingsman movies, would be an awesome choice for the role of Hercules, because he has proved that he can fulfill all the dynamic stunts, edge-of-your-seat shockers, and emotional heart-to-hearts that it would take someone to play a lead role like Hercules. Not only this but he has proven himself to be a very talented singer, something that might come in handy for "going the distance" as Hercules. Taron Egerton has an amazing ability to get people on his side, somehow managing to be both endearing and cheeky at the same time. He pushes the boundaries of what it means to be sexy, in a whole different direction.
Simu Liu
Simu Liu is another strong contender after his hugely successful appearance in Marvel’s Shang Chi. The actor is definitely the right body type for Hercules's buff transformation, and has some great experience with portraying martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, which would come in very handy for Hercules fighting the hydra. He’s also been making waves since his appearance in the MCU and has become a hit with fans across the globe, especially on Twitter where he has gained a massive fan base.
Sam Claflin
Sam Claflin seems like he could be the perfect Hercules. He looks very much like the original Disney character, but his suitability goes far beyond just appearance. In his role as Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games, he demonstrates all of the cocky-self confidence that Hercules gathers after discovering that he is the son of a god.
Yet underneath it all, Hercules, just like Finnick, has a heart of gold, and seeks nothing more than the love and acceptance of those he cares about. All he wants is to protect what matters most, which is what allows him into the gates of Olympia, and even then, he discovers that this isn’t where his heart belongs after all, and Sam Claflin has exactly the right balance of sensitivity and self-assuredness to portray this character flawlessly.