The story of Hercules has been adapted several times for the cinema over the decades, but one that has returned to trend was released in 2014 and now shines as the fourth most-watched movie on Netflix in the US.
Kellan Lutz, the renowned actor who brought Emmett Cullen to life in the Twilight saga, is the one who donned the toga and shield to portray the Greek god in The Legend of Hercules, directed by Renny Harlin.
The story depicts the origin of the myth. Every man has a destiny, and after being betrayed by his stepfather and exiled, he must use his skills to fight for a place in his rightful kingdom.
The Legend of Hercules ranked #4 on Netflix US
The Legend of Hercules was released 10 years ago but still remains a trend, all thanks to American Netflix users who have made it the fourth most-watched film in the catalog, according to Flix Patrol.
The specialized metrics site reported that it not only secured a spot in the ranking on March 1st but also dethroned other major productions, including Code 8 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The plot follows the mythological story of Hercules, the son of Zeus, who is betrayed by his stepfather and exiled. After being sold into slavery, he must fight for his freedom and seek revenge against those who betrayed him. On his journey, he discovers his true identity and his destiny as the mythological hero.
Despite unfavorable reviews, the film did not manage to be a significant commercial success, so many have been surprised by its addition to the streaming giant’s catalog this week.
However, when it was first released, some praised the action sequences and choreographed fight scenes, as Kellan Lutz was the protagonist in many of these shots, which added more depth to the plot considering the character’s backstory.
The actor was not the only one involved in the project; there were some well-known figures who accompanied him in important roles. Gaia Weiss was one of them, bringing Hebe, his romantic interest, to life. Scott Adkins, Roxanne McKee and Liam Garrigan also joined the cast.
Kellan Lutz talked about the reimagining of the legend
Kellan Lutz starred in the 2014 film, which is a reimagining of the epic origins of the hero. During the year of its release, the star was interviewed by Collider and talked about his obsession with mythology films and why this was a dream role for him.
When asked how he got involved in the project and if he was really eager to play the character, the actor confessed, “Yes, absolutely! In our industry, you’ve been told ‘yes’ a million times, and I’ve been positioning myself. When I was a kid, I always had the dream of being Hercules. He is the epic hero. He is the original hero“.
He then added: “For me, becoming an actor, that childhood dream could come true. I went out for Thor, and Chris Hemsworth got it, but he is Thor. I was pretty close to being Captain America, but Chris Evans got it, and he deserves it. He is Captain America. I’m happy for them. I don’t get competitive. I do my best.
If I get something, then it was meant to be. If I don’t, then it wasn’t. With Hercules, I just knew. I didn’t grow up loving Thor, or knowing much about Thor or Captain America, but with Hercules, yes. I think [director] Renny [Harlin] saw my passion for this, and quite easily”.