‘Hercules’ Trailer: The Rock Is Both the Legend and the Truth
Though Kellan Lutz didn't quite cut it as the Grecian strongman -- in fact, his film rendition kinda bombed -- the first 'Hercules' trailer featuring The Rock as the legendary hero shows the A-lister and his director Brett Ratner have at least one advantage: a bigger budget.
Based on this first footage from the 'Hercules' trailer, the film kind of looks visually more like a 'Scorpion King' reboot than a 'Hercules' movie, but perhaps we should let Dwayne Johnson be our "Rock" -- he is, after all, super amped to be portraying this character on screen and was even willing to film this back-to-back with 'Fast and Furious 7.' There's also a lot of The Rock doing what The Rock does best -- grappling with a lion (and then pricelessly wearing said lion on his head) and beating his enemies to a pulp.
This version of 'Hercules' is based on the graphic novel 'Hercules: The Thracian Wars' and takes place after he famously completed those 12 Labors, which was a punishment by the Gods for killing his family in a fit of insanity. The film's official synopsis reads:
Everyone knows the legend of Hercules and his twelve labors. Our story begins after the labors, and after the legend…
Haunted by a sin from his past, Hercules has become a mercenary. Along with five faithful companions, he travels ancient Greece selling his services for gold and using his legendary reputation to intimidate enemies. But when the benevolent ruler of Thrace and his daughter seek Hercules' help to defeat a savage and terrifying warlord, Hercules finds that in order for good to triumph and justice to prevail... he must again become the hero he once was... he must embrace his own myth... he must be Hercules.
Also featured in the film are Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan and John Hurt. Perhaps we're still reeling from how poorly the year's first Hercules movie performed to really give this first look its due, but it's at least nice to see one of The Rock's passion projects come to fruition.