Twice the muscles, same mythology
In 2014, audiences got not one but two big-screen takes on the world’s most famous strongman: Hercules and The Legend of Hercules. Both flexed the swords-and-sandals aesthetic, filled with battles, betrayals, and feats of impossible strength. But while The Legend of Hercules aimed for a straightforward mythic origin story, Hercules with Dwayne Johnson went for a grittier, more revisionist spin on the legend. The result? A cinematic tug-of-war over who gets to wear the lion’s skin.
Hercules
Having endured his legendary twelve labors, Hercules, the Greek demigod, has his life as a sword-for-hire tested when the King of Thrace and his daughter seek his aid in defeating a tyrannical warlord. Both man and myth, Hercules 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.
- Release Date
- July 25, 2014
- Tagline(s)
- Before he was a legend, he was a man.
- Director(s)
- Brett Ratner
- Writer(s)
- Ryan J. Condal, Evan Spiliotopoulos
- Leading Cast
- Dwayne Johnson , Ian McShane , Rebecca Ferguson , Rufus Sewell , Joseph Fiennes , Peter Mullan , John Hurt , Aksel Hennie , Ingrid Bolsø Berdal , Reece Ritchie
- Budget
- $$100,000,000
- Box Office
- $$72,688,614 $$244,819,862
- Rotten Tomatoes
- 58% 48%
- IMDB
- 6.0 / 10
- Trailer
- View Trailer
- Sources
- OMDb Rotten Tomatoes IMDB Box Office Mojo Wikipedia
The Legend of Hercules
In 1200 BC Greece, Queen Alcmene prays for a savior against her tyrant husband, King Amphitryon, and Zeus grants her a son, Hercules—though Amphitryon names him Alcides. Twenty years later, Hercules loves Princess Hebe but is betrayed, enslaved, and forced into gladiatorial combat. Discovering his true identity and powers, he fights to reclaim his kingdom and destiny.
- Release Date
- January 10, 2014
- Tagline(s)
- Every man has a destiny
- Director(s)
- Renny Harlin
- Writer(s)
- Daniel Giat, Sean Hood
- Leading Cast
- Kellan Lutz , Gaia Weiss , Scott Adkins , Roxanne McKee , Liam Garrigan
- Budget
- $$70,000,000
- Box Office
- $$18,848,538 $$61,279,452
- Rotten Tomatoes
- 5% 33%
- IMDB
- 4.3 / 10
- Trailer
- View Trailer
- Sources
- OMDb Rotten Tomatoes IMDB Box Office Mojo Wikipedia
