1997’s Hercules is among the most beloved movies in the Disney Renaissance. Based on the many myths surrounding the demigod Hercules (Tate Donovan), the film chronicles his journey to becoming a hero. On the way, he must fight the villainous Hades (James Woods) while falling in love with the beautiful but mysterious Megara (Susan Egan).
As has happened with many Disney classics, a live-action Hercules is on the way, prompting many to start pondering who will play the demigod in live-action. Many actors suit the role to varying degrees; indeed, there is not a no-brainer choice like with some other characters. However, this list will discuss the ten actors who would best suit Hercules in the upcoming live-action movie. They are not ranked in any particular order, but some choices might be better fits than others.
10
Paul Mescal
Last Seen in ‘Gladiator II’ (2024)
Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal is one of Hollywood’s hottest young actors right now. Following his breakthrough with the pandemic hit Normal People, Mescal became one of the most in-demand actors of his generation. Last year, he headlined his first blockbuster, Ridley Scott‘s long-awaited Gladiator II, proving he has the good to star in both indie darlings and big-budget blockbusters.
Mescal already convincingly played a Roman gladiator, so a Greek demigod should be a walk in the park. The actor is also a fan-favorite with a built-in fanbase, which would be a bonus for the upcoming Hercules live-action. Moreover, his close friend and Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones might be an inspired choice for Megara. Who wouldn’t want to see Mescal and Edgar-Jones together again, this time on the big screen?
9
Zane Phillips
Last Seen in ‘Good Trouble’ (2024)
Ever since his scene-stealing supporting turn in the Hulu rom-com Fire Island, Zane Phillips has become something of a fan-favorite on the internet and social media. He has continued appearing mostly in TV roles, including the short-lived Netflix comedy Glamorous, but Phillips is still waiting for a major role to finally graduate to the big leagues.
If any actor on this list looks like Hercules, it’s Zane Phillips. From the face to the body to even the hair, Phillips would be a spot-on choice to play the beloved Greek hero. He is also a talented singer, as proven by many videos on YouTube, including one where he actually sings “Go the Distance” (and knocks it out of the park). Not for nothing, Phillips is at the top of many fan-casting lists for the coveted role of Hercules.
Good Trouble
- Release Date
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2019 – 2023
- Directors
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Peter Paige, Bradley Bredeweg, Michael Medico, Laura Nisbet-Peters
8
Aaron Pierre
Last Seen in ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ (2024)
Few actors have experienced such an explosive rise in prominence as Aaron Pierre. The thirty-year-old English actor became a star in 2024 thanks to the badass Netflix thriller Rebel Ridge and the unexpectedly successful Mufasa: The Lion King. Pierre is already lining up promising projects, including becoming the DCU’s new Green Lantern.
Pierre is very obviously the next big thing, and many studios and directors will be looking to sign him up before it’s too late and his schedule is too full. He has the right build, height, and presence to play a mighty but gentle hero. Mufasa also proved that he is an accomplished singer, meaning he could handle “Go the Distance” without any issues. Pierre isn’t overexposed yet and has already worked with Disney; it doesn’t get much better than that.
7
Kedar Williams-Stirling
Last Seen in ‘Sex Education’ (2019-2023)
Sex Education was one of Netflix’s best and most celebrated comedies. It introduced many up-and-coming young talents into the industry, including Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, and Connor Swindells. However, the equally talented Kedar Williams-Stirling has yet to receive a major opportunity outside the series, which is a true shame and a waste of his considerable charm.
Williams-Stirling showed a wide range throughout his four-season stint on Sex Education. At thirty, he is just at the right time to play Hercules and has more than proven he has charm and energy to spare. Williams-Stirling is literally just waiting for the right role to take his career to the next level; what better role than Hercules to prove that he can, too, go the distance?
6
Adam DiMarco
Last Seen in ‘The White Lotus’ (2021-Present)
The White Lotus has been an excellent starting point for many talents. From Fred Hechinger to Meghann Fahy, the acclaimed HBO dramedy has introduced multiple talents to a more mainstream audience. Season 2 gave Adam DiMarco his most prominent role yet, and the young actor proved himself a compelling presence on-screen, even while playing a questionable character.
DiMarco is half-Italian, making him an appropriate choice to play Hercules. Although he is on the older side at thirty-four, DiMarco looks considerably younger—for example, he very convincingly played a college student in Season 2 of The White Lotus. Lastly, as anyone who saw the Disney Channel Original movie Radio Rebel can tell you, DiMarco can carry a tune!
5
Leo Woodall
Last Seen in ‘Prime Target’ (2025)
And speaking of The White Lotus, Season 2 introduced another talented performer: Leo Woodall. The twenty-eight-year-old British actor made the most out of his supporting role and went on to become a proper romantic lead. Last year, he starred in Netflix’s One Day, and he has two major projects this year: Apple’s thriller series Prime Target and the fourth Bridget Jones movie, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Woodall’s boyish looks and proven romantic credentials make him an ideal candidate to play the charming yet heroic Hercules. Audiences have yet to hear his singing, but otherwise, Woodall is a great choice for the role. He is also right at the cusp of stardom, meaning most people would not relate him to another role when watching him step into Hercules’ sandals.
4
Taron Egerton
Last Seen in ‘Carry-On’ (2024)
The familiar and popular Taron Egerton has been around for over a decade now. The Welsh actor has appeared in everything, headlining major blockbusters like Kingsman: The Secret Service and receiving major acclaim, including a Golden Globe, for his performance in the Elton John biopic Rocketman. Last year, Egerton scored one of his biggest hits so far with the Netflix thriller Carry-On.
Egerton has been a fan-favorite choice for the role of Hercules for years now. He has more than proven his talent countless times, and he’s also an accomplished singer—he did justice to Elton John’s biggest hits, for crying out loud! The Welsh actor is also a common name in the fan-casting space, with many calling for him to play Wolverine in the MCU, for example. Egerton is close to the age limit to convincingly play Hercules, though, but that is really the only detriment to his potential casting.
3
Sebastian Croft
Last Seen in ‘How to Date Billy Walsh’ (2024)
The Netflix hit Heartstopper introduced several young talents into the mainstream, including Sebastian Croft, who played the antagonistic Ben Hope in the show’s first two seasons. Croft didn’t return for Season 3 and instead continued building his resumé with the Prime Video rom-com How to Date Billy Walsh and the upcoming horror comedy Get Away,
Croft is half-Greek on his mother’s side, giving him the perfect look to play the classic Greek demigod. He would need to bulk up considerably to convincingly play the adult Hercules, but that could be achievable with enough training and time. Croft’s charm shines through in Billy Walsh, proving he can do justice to Hercules. Oh, and he sings, too! Not many would think of him at first, but Sebastian Croft might just be the ideal choice for Hercules.
2
Kit Connor
Last Seen in ‘Heartstopper’ (2022-Present)
Since the debut of his Netflix hit teen romance drama Heartstopper, Kit Connor has become one of Hollywood’s greatest teen heartthrobs. Connor is slowly making moves into more mature roles, currently starring in a Broadway adaptation of Romeo & Juliet and co-starring in Alex Garland‘s upcoming Warfare opposite many other young talents, including Will Poulter and Joseph Quinn.
At 20, Connor is the right age to play Hercules. He also has the right build to believably portray a young demigod and the ginger hair that made Disney’s Hercules such a striking hero. Moreover, and much like his Heartstopper co-star Joe Locke, Connor can also sing, meaning this up-and-coming actor would fit the film’s musical angle perfectly. Indeed, Connor might be the best choice for the role, even if he does look younger than his years (hence why he’s been playing a teenager for the past three years so effortlessly).
1
Fabien Frankel
Last Seen in ‘House of the Dragon’ (2022-Present)
If there is an actor who might be an even better choice for Hercules than Connor, it might be Fabien Frankel. The thirty-year-old actor rose to prominence with his role as the villainous Ser Criston Cole in HBO’s acclaimed fantasy drama House of the Dragon and has been waiting for his big break ever since.
Frankel has Italian ancestry on his mother’s side, giving him a layer of authenticity when portraying the legendary hero. He also has the perfect look to play Hercules—his hairstyle in Season 1 of House of the Dragon would especially suit the character. The one caveat is that it’s unknown if he can carry a tune; “Go the Distance” is a challenging song, after all. Even if Frankel can’t sing, they can always dub him as they did with Tate Donovan, the original voice of Hercules, whose singing voice was dubbed by the wonderful Tony winner Roger Bart.
