Both man and myth, Hercules (Johnson) leads a band of mercenaries to help end a bloody civil war in the land of Thrace and return the rightful king to his throne. A tormented soul from birth, Hercules has the strength of a God but feels the suffering of a human. Unimaginable villains will test the mythical power of Hercules in this gritty take on one of the most epic action heroes of the ages.
Written By Ryan J. Condal and Evan Spiliotopoulos, the film also stars Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan and John Hurt.
The story finds Hercules after he has endured his famous 12 Labors (which included slaying a nine-headed hydra and the fearsome Nemean lion), punishment bestowed on him after committing a tragic act in a fit of insanity.
Hercules is still in a dark place mentally, with scars from his many battles. But now he is traveling with a group of mercenaries and cashing in on his famous name until he’s hired to train an army for an epic battle.
The setting allowed Johnson to lead war scenes featuring more than 1,000 soldiers. “Green screen and effects can be fantastic. But when you have real men, real sweat and even real blood, it’s very gratifying,” says Johnson. “You feel the substance.”
Opening across the Philippines on July 23, “Hercules” will be distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.