Jack-Hammer
YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!!!!
Off and on since last year, a few pictures of The Rock in costume as Hercules have popped up. Most of them either show him from behind, while he's in the make-up chair or being fitted for his costume. This link shows the first pics I've seen of him in full costume, or at least where you can see his face: http://www.superherohype.com/news/296167-two-new-photos-from-hercules-starring-dwayne-johnson
Generally speaking, I think he kinda looks like a really jacked up Jesus Christ in the midst of a 'roid rage episode. That's a good thing, however, as that's really what I always kinda pictured for Hercules. This film version of the mythological demi-god is based on a graphic novel "Hercules: The Thracian Wars" and is set after the character's legendary 12 labors. In the myths, Hercules joined Jason & The Argonauts in searching for the Golden Fleece, so they're obviously going their own way here, which is the beauty of mythical characters of a dead religion in that you can do pretty much whatever you want without pissing people off.
Based on what I've read, certain aspects of the film's plot characterize Hercules as a tortured soul, someone who's life has been met with little more than tragedy. This goes hand in hand with the myth as the myths portrayed Herc as someone who suffered and endured hardship all his life, mostly due to the jealousy of Zeus' wife Hera. As a result, I don't think there'll be much light heartedness in Rock's portrayal. Makes sense, after all, if your stepmother was the queen of all creation who hated you because you're a living reminder of her hubby's infidelity and did everything she could to make your life a living hell.
Movies based on Greek myths have been very hit or miss the past several years. The Clash of the Titans remake in 2010 was panned by critics, but it made nearly $500 million worldwide. It's sequel, Wrath of the Titans, was panned even more and made about $302 million worldwide.
Another Hercules movie, "The Legend of Hercules" was released in January this year and was a raked over the coals. Rotten Tomatoes.com has it at a 3% rating, which maybe the lowest I've ever seen for any movie, and it was a big flop at the box office, making only about $40 million worldwide.
With a reported budget of $110 million, this movie might set the tone for The Rock's movie career as he's the only major star in the film. The only other two I'm familiar with are Ian McShane and John Hurt. McShane's probably best known to American audiences for the role of Al Swearengen in the HBO Series "Deadwood", for which he won a Golden Globe Award, and for playing Blackbeard in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Hurt's a Golden Globe Award winner and two time Academy Award nominee probably best known to American audiences for the roles of Kane in the first "Alien" movie, he's the guy that had the Alien burst out of his chest, Max from the 1978 movie "Midnight Express" and for is portrayal of Joseph Merrick in "The Elephant Man." Both of them are British actors in their 70s, so they're not exactly the kind of guys you'd associate with a summer blockbuster. As a result, The Rock's THE lead guy, so it ultimately falls on his shoulders. If The Fast & The Furious & G.I. Joe movies flopped, then the blame could be spread around given that they were established franchises long before he came along.
Generally speaking, I think he kinda looks like a really jacked up Jesus Christ in the midst of a 'roid rage episode. That's a good thing, however, as that's really what I always kinda pictured for Hercules. This film version of the mythological demi-god is based on a graphic novel "Hercules: The Thracian Wars" and is set after the character's legendary 12 labors. In the myths, Hercules joined Jason & The Argonauts in searching for the Golden Fleece, so they're obviously going their own way here, which is the beauty of mythical characters of a dead religion in that you can do pretty much whatever you want without pissing people off.
Based on what I've read, certain aspects of the film's plot characterize Hercules as a tortured soul, someone who's life has been met with little more than tragedy. This goes hand in hand with the myth as the myths portrayed Herc as someone who suffered and endured hardship all his life, mostly due to the jealousy of Zeus' wife Hera. As a result, I don't think there'll be much light heartedness in Rock's portrayal. Makes sense, after all, if your stepmother was the queen of all creation who hated you because you're a living reminder of her hubby's infidelity and did everything she could to make your life a living hell.
Movies based on Greek myths have been very hit or miss the past several years. The Clash of the Titans remake in 2010 was panned by critics, but it made nearly $500 million worldwide. It's sequel, Wrath of the Titans, was panned even more and made about $302 million worldwide.
Another Hercules movie, "The Legend of Hercules" was released in January this year and was a raked over the coals. Rotten Tomatoes.com has it at a 3% rating, which maybe the lowest I've ever seen for any movie, and it was a big flop at the box office, making only about $40 million worldwide.
With a reported budget of $110 million, this movie might set the tone for The Rock's movie career as he's the only major star in the film. The only other two I'm familiar with are Ian McShane and John Hurt. McShane's probably best known to American audiences for the role of Al Swearengen in the HBO Series "Deadwood", for which he won a Golden Globe Award, and for playing Blackbeard in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Hurt's a Golden Globe Award winner and two time Academy Award nominee probably best known to American audiences for the roles of Kane in the first "Alien" movie, he's the guy that had the Alien burst out of his chest, Max from the 1978 movie "Midnight Express" and for is portrayal of Joseph Merrick in "The Elephant Man." Both of them are British actors in their 70s, so they're not exactly the kind of guys you'd associate with a summer blockbuster. As a result, The Rock's THE lead guy, so it ultimately falls on his shoulders. If The Fast & The Furious & G.I. Joe movies flopped, then the blame could be spread around given that they were established franchises long before he came along.
