Amid all of the hype surrounding upcoming giant robot movies and outer-space superheroes’ adventures, it’s easy to overlook the big-screen return of a bona fide son of a god — but the latest television teaser for Hercules serves up a nice reminder to keep Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s turn as the legendary warrior on your radar.
Directed by Brett Ratner, Hercules is based on the Radical Studios graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars, and features Johnson in the title role, along with Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, and John Hurt. The new television teaser (posted below) unfolds with scenes of Hercules (Johnson) doing what he does best: smashing soldiers, giant lions, and all manner of mythological creature. The voice of Amphiaraus (McShane) can be heard stating, “No matter how fast you run, no matter how far you go, man cannot escape his fate, Hercules.”
The official synopsis for the film offers a bit more detail about when the story picks up in the well-known mythology of the iconic hero:
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.
As anyone who’s seen Johnson’s workout videos from the Budapest set of Hercules can attest, the charismatic actor is certainly embracing the role and going a long way to “becoming” Hercules himself.
Hercules hits theaters July 25.
