We all know Dwayne Johnson keeps himself in shape*. And that before every movie (yes, even Race To Witch Mountain), he tailors his workout regime to fit his latest gig. Currently he’s busy getting in bodybuilder shape (not much of a struggle, frankly) for Michael Bay’s Pain And Gain, but he may already be looking ahead to playing a Greek hero in Brett Ratner’s Hercules.
The iconic muscled one has been something of an obsession of Ratner's for a while now. He considered one take on Hercules for a while (though it was later revealed he only read the script), but last year became attached to the adaptation of Steve Moore’s Radical Publishing comic title Hercules: The Thracian Wars.
Moore’s story finds the Thracian king summon Herc and six battle-weary pals of his, and tasking them with getting his army into fighting shape. Lured by the promise of gold and glory, Hercules readily agrees, but soon comes to realise how far he’s fallen from grace and what he might need to do to find some redemption. It’s got a definite 300 flavour to it, and you just know Ratner will want to up the stylish carnage.
Johnson is a man in demand at the moment: he’s already shown up in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and has G.I. Joe: Retaliation on the way in June, as well as locking in plans to film Fast Six this summer (at least partly here in Blighty). But come on… if there was one role he was made to play, it's this one, surely?
If you're needing a little more Rock action in your life, you'd best pick up the latest issue of Empire, (available in both printed and iPad flavours) which sees us hanging around his house for an exclusive chat. Boots to asses, people. Get on it!
*Understatement alert!