Praise the Muses, Danny DeVito is teasing all Disney fans with his apparent enthusiasm to join the live-action remake of Hercules as Phil once more.
The popular actor, 77, has long been a favourite among lovers of the film to reprise his role as the irritable satyr (half human, half goat) – full name Philoctetes – who trains Hercules to become a true hero in the 1997 animated feature.
Now, it appears the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star has heard fans hopes – or certainly agrees with them anyway.
The movie, which Disney recently announced was to be helmed by Aladdin director Guy Ritchie, finally looks to be moving officially into pre-production after years of rumours and development.
While casting announcements are a fair way off – and there’s plenty of other iconic characters up for grabs like sassy leading lady Meg and wisecracking ruler of the Underworld Hades – Danny issued somewhat of a challenge to Disney.
Taking part in Wired’s famous Autocomplete Interview, Google searches proved the popularity of Danny’s casting as Phil as he was confronted with: ‘Will Danny DeVito be in the live-action Hercules?’
‘I am the live-action Hercules!’ the actor quickly responded with cheery confidence, popping a bicep.
He then boldly added: ‘If they don’t put me in that, they don’t have a hair on their ass.’
So, over to you now, Disney?
Although the actor then burst into laughter after the statement and said: ‘Thank God’s there’s two cameras, you can always cut’, fans were fizzing with excitement in the comments of the video.
‘There is now literally no excuse for Disney not to have him back as Phil in the live action Hercules – he’s basically issued a come and get me call here,’ wrote one.
‘Disney, there’s no chance in Hades that I’m watching the live action Hercules if Danny DeVito isn’t Phil, and James Woods isn’t Hades,’ proclaimed another.
Returns for live-action remakes at Disney aren’t totally out of the question either, with James Earl Jones voicing Mufasa for a second time in the 2019 remake of The Lion King.
It’s been 25 years since the original Hercules animation first graced us with its magic, and it appears fans aren’t in the mood for much change.
Producers Joe and Anthony Russo, known for their Marvel work, have previously said the upcoming film will be ‘in the vein of the original and inspired by it’ while also bringing in new elements, but further details are being kept tightly under wraps still at this stage.
Other casting rumours include Oscar-winner Jennifer being in ‘informal talks’ with Disney after expressing her interest in playing one of the iconic gospel-singing Muses, while fans have also previously campaigned for Ariana Grande to be given the role of Meg, following her rendition of the sassy heroine’s solo number for the Disney Family Singalong put on to raise spirits during the early days of the Covid lockdown.
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