Jul 23 2008Berg Directing 'Hercules'; Sorbo Waiting for Call

Hancock director Peter Berg has plans to produce and direct a film based on Hercules: The Thracian Wars, a comic from the same company that just sold their thunder-shooting gun comic to John Woo. From Variety:

Berg will produce and will develop to direct "Hercules: The Thracian Wars," a co-production of Spyglass Entertainment, Berg’s Film 44 and Radical Pictures. Spyglass and Universal will co-finance the film.

Ryan Condal will write the script, based on a five-issue comicbook series by Steve Moore that debuted in May through Radical Publishing.

Is anyone else thinking who I'm thinking for the lead? Perhaps the only human who could ever truly portray Hercules? Yes, that's who I mean. At 50 years old, Kevin Sorbo is still the clear choice for the starring role. Below the cut, five reasons this is true, culled entirely from his IMDB biography.

1. "At 6' 3" and very muscular, Kevin was a natural for the title role in what would become his signature series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys."

What's changed? Nothing. Still a natural Hercules.

2. "Kevin even studied martial arts in order to do many of his own stunts."

God, what a talent. He's basically Jackie Chan with long hair.

3. "In real life, Kevin's heart is as big as Hercules'"

People forget that, besides being really strong, Hercules also had a big heart. Sometimes it almost seems like Hercules is playing Sorbo more than Sorbo playing Hercules. I think all of us have been guilty of slipping and saying "Sorboean" when we meant to say "Herculean."

4. "Lost twenty pounds of muscles between the end of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995) and the beginning of Andromeda (2000) He has since regained the muscle mass."

Phew!

5. "Nickname: The Sorbs."

OK, so maybe the sole reason I think Kevin Sorbo should be cast as Hercules even though it would be completely ridiculous is that I just found out his nickname is "The Sorbs," and I want to exploit every chance I can to call him "The Sorbs" from now until the day I die. But I think that's a valid reason in itself.