Twilight actor Kellan Lutz has landed the lead role in Renny Harlin’s Hercules 3D .
The $70 million film is set to start shooting in Bulgaria next month.
“It takes more than a good physique to portray the most legendary, mythological personality in history — and Kellan has exactly that, personality,” Harlin told The Hollywood Reporter . “He’s not afraid to explore the strengths and vulnerabilities of the character, and he impressed me with his passion and heart.”
Few details about the plot have been revealed, but what is known is that the love story between Hercules and the mortal princess of Crete will be at the center of the film. Complicating matters for the lovers is the fact that the princess is promised to Hercules’ brother, even though she loves the demigod.
The script for Hercules 3D was written by Harlin, Giulio Steve, and Sean Hood. Trevor Short, John Thompson, Avi Lerner, and Boaz Davidson will executive produce the film.
“Kellan has the look and charisma that Harlin envisioned for the character,” Davidson said. He also added that Harlin had Lutz in mind to play Hercules from the beginning.
Harlin’s adaptation of Hercules won’t be the only one hitting the big screen next year. Brett Ratner’s Hercules: The Thracian Wars is set to be released July 25, 2014 . Starring Dwayne Johnson as the eponymous hero, Ratner’s version will be slightly different from previous offerings of the Hercules mythology in that it will take a more realistic approach to the story. Instead of gods and magic, the film will focus on how Hercules and a group of men and women become “ mercenaries for hire ” for the King of Thrace, who wants them to train his army to become the greatest of all time.
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