One of the most important elements of live-action adaptations comes down to the cast, and why Hercules
It will be essential to find the right actress to play Meg, Hercules’ love interest. As Disney continues to adapt some of its classic films, surprisingly, alongside new hits like Moanahasn’t yet adapted one of Disney’s greatest musicals of all time, Hercules. In 2022, it was confirmed that this project would move forward, with production by the Russo brothers.
However, years later, very little has been announced about the next Hercules film, as well as further confirmation that it is still happening from the Russos. It’s likely that the film won’t be ready for a few years, but in the meantime, it’s worth taking a look at possible castings for the central roles. And one of the most important characters to consider is Megara, a woman whose soul is indebted to Hades. Despite being sent to trap Hercules for her master, Meg falls in love, and this creates the central tension of the film.
10
Ariana Grande
Firstly, Ariana Grande, best known for her career as a talented musician with an impressive vocal range, Grande has recently returned to the world of acting where she has really started to find success in her career. Grande initially starred in the Nickelodeon show Sam and catbut it wasn’t long before her impressive singing ability overshadowed her role on the show. At this point, she also landed roles in Broadway musicals, proving her vocal talent and developing her career as a versatile performer.
In 2013, she released her debut album, and since then, Grande has established herself first as a singer, but has recently started taking on more acting roles again, such as playing Glinda in Eviland several appearances in sketches in Saturday night live. Although she is often cast as a sweet or soft-spoken character, Grande has shown a tougher side in her sketch performances, and she clearly has the singing ability to play Meg in Hercules.
9
Anna Kendrick
Anna Kendrick, on the other hand, focused more on her acting career, but her voice earned her the lead role in the musical comedy film series, Pitch perfect. While Grande has built a reputation as a soft, sweet female figure, Kendrick delivers much bolder performances with confidence, bravado, and attitude. Her characters often have a dark edge or an element of mystery that would be perfect for playing Meg.
When Meg first meets Herc, she clearly flirts with the male hero. However, flirting masks a more dangerous truth. Meg is a trap sent by Hades, in an attempt to kill Hercules and position himself as the future ruler of the gods. This subtle darkness and hidden secret are things that Kendrick could do very well, as well as having experience in the music space.
8
Lashana Lynch
Lashana Lynch exudes confidence and strength in every role she has played. From playing Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvelto tough MI6 agent Bianca Pullman in The Day of the JackalLynch is strong, confident and courageous. Also, compared to some of the other entries on this list, she is a little older but looks very young.
Meg is a strong-willed character, and despite her forced servitude under Hades, she is not afraid to stand up for herself. Meg steps back, speaks up, and makes sure her voice is heard under any circumstances. And important to the story of Hercules, Meg is portrayed as a slightly older woman who keeps young Herc away from other commitments and responsibilities with her stunning beauty and mysterious nature.
7
Morena Baccarin
Morena Baccarin is another actress who could perfectly fit the profile for several reasons similar to Lashana Lynch. Baccarin is tough and commonly played as characters who stand up for themselves. Playing Vanessa Carlyle in the Deadpool films, Vanessa is also a mercenary, and when she feels Wade isn’t living up to her potential, she moves on to find a better match. This independence and confidence are perfect elements for the role of Meg.
Meg is involved in shady work for the literal god of the underworld. Hades orders her to do his bidding, and although she may not like it, she is not afraid to get her hands dirty and work hard. But she remains strong, confident and able to react when necessary. Baccarin has also been cast in several roles in which her character has an intense romantic connection, which again suits the character of Meg in Hercules.
6
Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer is perhaps best known for her role as Villanelle in Killing Eve. In this role, she plays a secret agent who works as part of a secret group of assassins known as The Twelve. Her character is rough, but also susceptible to falling in love. In other films and TV shows, Comer has given similar performances with characters who have a tough exterior but also possess a softer spirit.
Meg could be described in a similar way, considering her struggle to live a double life as an agent of Hades while also wanting to free herself from these underhanded and dark jobs. Comer’s name was suggested by many fans in connection with the role of Meg, and she could be perfect for the role with some vocal training to refine her voice to perform solo as Meg.
5
Zoe Kravitz
Zoë Kravitz is the daughter of famous singer Lenny Kravitz and, as such, grew up surrounded by music. She also has an incredible voice, and although she hasn’t built a career around her musical ability, she certainly has the talent to do so. Furthermore, she has recently landed notable roles in films like Batmanwhere she played the mysterious and brooding young woman, Selina Kyle.
If Kravitz were to take on the role of Meg, she would already have all the talent and experience needed to play the role convincingly. Additionally, her personality as an actress exudes confidence and intelligence, two important aspects of the Meg character. Kravitz could also easily leverage her experience as Selina to have a complex relationship with both the hero and the villain.
4
Elizabeth Gillies
Elizabeth Gillies is a close friend of Ariana Grande, who also found early success on Nickelodeon. Her breakout role was playing a so-called ‘bad girl’ who attended a performing arts school in Victorious. Gillies has a solid career as a singer, songwriter and performer, as well as a healthy acting career. She is also commonly cast as the misfit or rejected girl who remains self-assured and confident despite being different.
All of this makes Gillies another solid choice to play Meg in a live-action adaptation of Hercules. Gillies is comfortable playing characters who keep things secret and occasionally hide their feelings to avoid being vulnerable. However, once those walls are broken down, she can easily transition into a soft, affectionate figure, much like Meg does with Hercules.
3
Emma Mackey
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Emma Mackey’s most notable roles to date have been as part of the Netflix series Sex Education, Emilyand Barbie. In each of these roles, Mackey has proven her exceptional talent as an actress who can take on a wide variety of roles. However, characters like Maeve Wiley from Sex Education have a lot in common with Meg that could make Mackey perfect for the role.
Additionally, Mackey has a beautiful singing voice that has been underutilized in her acting work thus far. Considering her past experience, vocal talents, and physical appearance that once again resembles Meg from Hercules, Mackey could be a perfect choice for the role if cast. Helping to bring together the classic look and nostalgia of the animated character, with a talented young actress who could pull it off.
2
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence is another highly versatile actress who has had a highly successful career in Hollywood. At first, she played Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Gamesa headstrong and rebellious young woman who struggled with her own romantic feelings. Years later, Lawrence was cast in several roles where she plays a slightly older young woman who connects romantically with a younger guy and eventually falls in love, as seen in No hard feelings.
Lawrence also has a wonderful voice, perfect for playing the kind of music Meg sings. Hercules. With all of these elements in place, Lawrence seems like the ideal choice to play the character. And considering her incredible talent for creating natural chemistry with co-stars, Lawrence would certainly create a satisfying and rewarding connection between herself and whoever plays Hercules.
1
Jameela Jamil
Jameela Jamil started acting a little later than most people on this list, but since her career began in 2016 with her debut as one of the leads in The good placeJamil has grown more and more. She has tackled a variety of characters, with several being considered antagonistic, such as her character in She-Hulk: Lawyeror Perfect tuning: bumper in Berlinbut this only enhances her ability to play a complex and layered character like Meg.
Jamil also has an incredibly singing voice, with her vocal performance being a key part of Perfect tuning: bumper in Berlin. Combine this with her stunning beauty, intellectual ability, and her talent for playing characters with a dark side, and it makes her an ideal candidate for the role. However, it is possible that the live action Hercules the film could have aimed to cast someone lesser known in the role.