2019 saw the release of Aladdin, one of Disney’s highly successful live-action adaptations, joining the ranks of films like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. With earnings exceeding $1 billion globally, it was practically expected that a follow-up movie would be in the works, and Guy Ritchie eagerly accepted the opportunity to direct the sequel.
Back in early 2020, I, as a movie enthusiast, was thrilled to hear that Disney had greenlit the production of Aladdin 2. But fast forward three years, and unfortunately, the project seemed to have sunk without a trace. Now, it appears Guy Ritchie has set sail for another exciting live-action Disney remake – Hercules!
Was Aladdin 2 Ever a Real Possibility?
An Aladdin Sequel Was More Than a Wish–At First
Following its debut in Paris in May 2019, Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin was rolled out globally, eventually ranking as the ninth highest-grossing film of 2019 – a year that marked Hollywood’s last ‘normal’ phase before the pandemic disrupted the industry significantly. Among Disney’s successful live-action remakes, Aladdin ranked third in box office earnings, trailing behind only The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.
The film Aladdin received mixed opinions from critics. They admired the acting, set design, and music, but felt that Guy Ritchie’s directing style didn’t fit the more tranquil Disney production. As a result, it garnered a 57% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an average score of 5.9/10, as well as a 53 out of 100 on Metacritic. However, audiences gave it an “A” grade according to CinemaScore, indicating a divided response. Although critical acclaim is significant, the box office earnings are more influential in Hollywood. The financial success of Aladdin almost guaranteed a sequel, and indeed, by the end of 2019, there were whispers of a sequel, and by early 2020, it seemed like Aladdin 2 was a certainty.
What Ideas Did Guy Ritchie Have for Aladdin 2?
An Aladdin Sequel Would Have Offered a Whole New World
Approximately three months following the release of Aladdin in 2019, producer Dan Lin disclosed that Disney was already working on a sequel film. At that time, it was rumored that Guy Ritchie and Will Smith would potentially reprise their roles for the future installment. In February 2020, Variety confirmed the hiring of screenwriters John Gatins and Andrea Berloff to pen the script. Although the storyline for the sequel remains uncertain, Dan Lin stated that it wouldn’t be based on existing tales like Aladdin and the King of Thieves. Instead, Aladdin 2 was expected to present original content. After these announcements, there was a period of silence regarding further developments.
Two years post the 2022 Academy Awards incident where Will Smith infamously slapped Chris Rock, his Hollywood career faced a significant setback. He was essentially shunned for over a year as he prioritized other aspects of his life. In January 2023, whispers circulated that Smith might still be involved in the upcoming “Aladdin” sequel and his role could grow. However, Aladdin’s own actor, Mena Massoud, expressed on social media in March 2023 that a sequel was unlikely to materialize despite the film’s success. Throughout the year, there was no official confirmation about an “Aladdin” sequel, with Hollywood strikes among artists possibly pushing back its production even further. In March 2023, Guy Ritchie, who had directed the original and biggest hit of his career, was interviewed about potentially returning for a sequel, to which he responded that he could still envision himself at the helm.
Despite Guy Ritchie expressing his desire to revisit the enchanting journey of directing Aladdin, the sequel remains stuck in the development stage. Consequently, Ritchie has been compelled to seek out a new film project. Intriguingly, he seems to have found another one, and it turns out to be another live-action version of a Disney classic.
What Live-Action Disney Film Will Guy Ritchie Direct Instead?
Ritchie Is Looking to Test His Might
Back in April 2020, rumors about a possible live-action remake of the classic tale Hercules started circulating. Two years later, The New York Times confirmed these whispers as legitimate news. From the get-go, the Russo brothers, renowned for their work on hit Marvel Cinematic Universe films like Captain America: Winter Soldier, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame were involved in the project as producers. During interviews, they hinted that this new take on Hercules would deviate from previous versions, indicating that this remake might diverge significantly from the original animated storyline. In June 2022, the Russo brothers expressed their hope to start filming the movie “within the year.
Essentially, it appears that Hercules was heading swiftly towards its release. But then, the plans took an unexpected turn. In fact, many people were involved in halting the production process. Similar to how Hollywood strikes affected the production of Aladdin 2, the pre-production of Hercules also faced chaos. As a consequence, it’s unclear who will take on the roles for the upcoming remake. However, fans have their opinions, with many expressing hope that Danny DeVito might reprise his role as Phil, Hercules’s satyr trainer. Interestingly, when questioned later about returning to the character, DeVito seemed open to the idea.
What’s the Latest News on the Hercules Live-Action Remake?
It Still Needs Time to Get Its Reps In
From 2024 onwards, updates about the live-action movie titled “Hercules” have been scarce. Early this year, there were whispers that Guy Ritchie might be involved, but as of now, nothing has been confirmed and he remains attached to the project. Subsequently, the Russo brothers stepped forward, hinting that Hercules would indeed be made, though they didn’t provide specific details about Ritchie’s role in the production.
At the initial phase of the Hercules project, there hasn’t been a finalized script yet, hence the production status remains undecided. Once the script is done, updates about directors like Guy Ritchie will likely follow swiftly afterwards. Currently, Guy Ritchie, one of England’s distinctive filmmakers, is still associated with his second Disney live-action adaptation. If he completes this project, Ritchie would join an elite group of three directors who have remade two of Disney’s most cherished intellectual properties, alongside Tim Burton and Jon Favreau.
Disney’s Live-Action Hercules Movie May Be In Danger
Snow White May Have Doomed Future Live-Action Remakes
Despite persistent speculation that Guy Ritchie is no longer set to direct a live-action version of Hercules, recent developments seem to indicate that this film might not materialize at all. Disney’s live-action remakes have often been met with controversy due to fans expressing disappointment over the studio moving away from original concepts towards reimagining past blockbusters. Although many of these films have fared well financially, Disney has experienced a decline in profits more recently. Movies like The Little Mermaid were profitable at the box office but didn’t earn enough to cover their excessive production costs.
2025’s reimagining of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” might have spelled the end for Disney’s line of live-action adaptations, as it has been enveloped in controversy for years, resulting in significant financial losses. Although the controversies surrounding “Snow White” are worth a separate conversation, its box office performance tells an undeniable tale: live-action remakes aren’t always a guaranteed success. Given this insight, future live-action adaptations could find themselves under threat.
Following the disappointing performance of “Snow White”, Disney has decided to pause and postpone the “Hercules” project indefinitely. Although previously planned live-action remakes like “Lilo & Stitch” and “Moana” will continue as scheduled, other projects are facing an uncertain fate. With “Hercules” having been in development for years with little progress, it appears that its release may be uncertain at best. Given Disney’s recent challenges in film production and the difficulties faced by this project so far, many believe it might ultimately be cancelled. However, as of now, Disney has not officially announced the cancellation of their “Hercules” adaptation.
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2025-05-02 20:36