The Rock, or Dwayne Johnson if you prefer, is in talks to return to the world of sword and sandal studio epics for the first time since 2002's 'The Scorpion King.' The wrestler-turned-actor is apparently up for the lead role in Brett Rattner's 'Hercules' for MGM. The script, adapted by Ryan Condol, is based on Steve Moore's graphic novel 'Hercules: The Thracian War.' The Rock, and his versatile pectoral muscles have just come off the box office hit family film 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' and still has 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' due out this summer. No official deal has yet been made in the Herc department.

I have very mixed feelings about this piece of news. On the one hand, I do think The Rock represents a very good fit for the role of Hercules. He's got the right build and size of course, but also I find him to be an actor with a great deal of charm and natural charisma so the character wouldn't just be a meat-headed mythic hero like, say, a certain cinematic Perseus we know. And yes, there is the added intrigue of the script being based on a graphic novel, however I have not yet read 'Hercules: The Thracian War' so I'm ill-equipped to comment on its quality or how well it would naturally lend itself to film adaptation. My biggest concern here however is that the film is being helmed by Brett Rattner. His recent idiotic comments during the Oscar controversy notwithstanding, I just don't like the guy as a director. He's only had one film that I can say I genuinely liked and that was 2002's 'Red Dragon.' I guess I can't judge this film until I see it, because I can't, but let's just say that it doesn't instill much confidence in me that Rattner will be behind the camera on this. Ok, now the big question: will The Rock's Hercules be fighting Moon Men or traveling to New York?

Do you guys like The Rock as Hercules? What are your thoughts on Rattner as a director? Anyone read Steve Moore's graphic novel that can give us some insight?

Source: Variety