

Turning to the Fates for help, Hades learns that in eighteen years, a planetary alignment will allow him to free the Titans to conquer Olympus, but only if Hercules does not interfere.

While the other gods are joyful, Zeus' wicked brother Hades plots to overthrow Zeus and rule Mount Olympus. In Ancient Greece, the gods Zeus and Hera have a son named Hercules.
HADES FROM HERCULES SERIES
Hercules was later followed by the direct-to-video prequel Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999), which served as the pilot to Hercules: The Animated Series, a syndicated Disney television series focusing on Hercules during his time at the Prometheus Academy. The film under-performed in its theatrical release notably in comparison to previous animated Disney films, ultimately earning $252.7 million in box office revenue worldwide.

Hercules was released on Jand received mostly positive reviews from film critics, with James Woods's performance as Hades receiving particular praise, but the animation (particularly the visual style) and music received a mixed response. Computer animation was used in several scenes, predominantly in the Hydra battle sequence. Animation for the film was done in California and Paris. Research trips to Greece and Turkey provided inspiration for the background designs. British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe was recruited as production designer and produced over seven hundred visualization designs of the characters. Donald McEnery, Bob Shaw, and Irene Mecchi were brought on board to revise the script.

The project underwent multiple story treatments and a first script draft was inspired by the screwball comedy films of the classic Hollywood era and popular culture of the 1990s. Following an unused treatment by Haidar, Clements and Musker studied multiple interpretations of Greek mythology before abandoning Zeus's adulterous affair with Alcmene. Their project was removed from development in 1993, and Musker and Clements joined Hercules later that same year. Meanwhile, Clements and Musker re-developed their idea for Treasure Planet (2002) following the critical and commercial success of Aladdin (1992). The film is loosely based on the legendary hero Heracles (known in the film by his Roman name, Hercules), the son of Zeus, in Greek mythology.ĭevelopment of Hercules began in 1992 following a pitch adaptation of the Heracles mythological stories by animator Joe Haidar. The 35th Disney animated feature film and the eighth animated film produced during the Disney Renaissance, the film was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. Nonetheless, the long-lasting affection for the film and Woods’ performance proved that he was the right man for the job.Hercules is a 1997 American animated musical fantasy comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation for Walt Disney Pictures. Perhaps, the star power that Jack Nicholson would have brought to Hercules could have bolstered those numbers. It became the first Disney project since 1990’s The Rescuers Down Under to fail to make $100 million at the American box office. Despite this, the film slightly underperformed at the box office. Hades’ enduring popularity was evidenced when he became a member of the Disney villains – a sub-franchise that spanned television specials and video games.Īfter years of production troubles, Hercules was finally released to positive reviews in June 1997 and James Woods garnered universal acclaim for his performance as Hades. Both injected their respected characters and films with a pervasive charm that has endeared audiences even twenty years later. The connection to Robin Williams' Genie was an apt one.
HADES FROM HERCULES MOVIE
Ultimately, Woods' involvement not only changed Hades' characterization, but also the direction of the movie as a whole.Įven the legendary Roger Ebert sang Woods' praises in his review of Hercules, claiming Woods voiced Hades with “ with diabolical glee and something of the same verbal inventiveness that Robin Williams brought to Aladdin”. Lines of Hades’ dialogue were rewritten and improvisation was welcomed, which caused Hercules to take on a more comic tone. His approach was a breath of fresh air and convinced the directors that the original Hades plan should change. Finally, Woods came into the fold and gifted Hades with a wheeler-dealer whirlwind energy. Clement and Musker continued to portray Hades seriously during auditions that saw actors such as Phil Hartman and John Lithgow read for the part. Regardless, he was still not the first choice for the role after Nicholson. Woods was best known for 1984’s Once Upon A Time In America. Related: Casting Disney's Live-Action Hercules Movie: Who Should StarĪfter a long auditioning process, in which David Bowie and Kevin Spacey were considered, the role eventually went to James Woods, who took Hades’ character in a more comedic direction, akin to a fast-talking car salesman.
