HERCULES Film To Star Dwayne Johnson; Director Brett Ratner To Begin Production Early 2013

Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios announced today that they will co-produce the upcoming film HERCULES, starring Dwayne Johnson and directed by Brett Ratner. The film is set to begin production in early 2013.

Based on Radical Studio’s graphic novel “Hercules: The Thracian Wars,” the ensemble-action film is a revisionist take on the classic myth set in a grounded world where the supernatural does not exist.

The screenplay was adapted by Ryan Condal, with revisions by Evan Spiliotopoulos. Producers are Beau Flynn, Barry Levine and Brett Ratner; executive producers are Peter Berg, Sarah Aubrey and Jesse Berger.

Johnson, who earlier this year starred in the box-office hit JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, will next be seen in the highly anticipated sequel G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, from Paramount Pictures, MGM and Skydance Productions, in association with HASBRO, directed by John M. Chu and written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick, on March 29, 2013, and will then co-star in Paramount Pictures’ PAIN AND GAIN on April 26, 2013, based on the Magazine Article by Pete Collins, screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely and directed by Michael Bay. In May, Johnson will reprise his role in FAST AND FURIOUS 6, the next chapter in the successful franchise. The actor is represented by WME and Manager Dany Garcia of The Garcia Companies.

Ratner is represented by CAA and attorney Jake Bloom.