Taika Waititi Suggests Marvel Is Developing A Hercules/Olympians Project That He’s Not Involved With

Is Kevin Feige’s Marvel sniper rifle with the red-laser scope working overtime? First you get Patton Oswalt revealing that an “Eternals” sequel is in the works with Chloé Zhao in the director’s chair again. Then you get Giancarlo Esposito telling everyone he’s met with the studio and wants to play the X-Men’s Professor X, and now we’ve to Rosario Dawson blowing up Marvel’s spot by saying Jon Bernthal is returning as the Punisher.

Well, it looks like someone else is talking tales out of school and perhaps suggesting where a Phase 4 Marvel cameo will land. “Thor: Love & Thunder” director Taika Waititi (via Reddit) has teased during a Q&A that some kind of Hercules project is in the works at Marvel, but indicated he’s not directly involved with it and was shocked to learn Marvel Comics even had a superhero version of the character.

READ MORE: Patton Oswalt Seemingly Confirms ‘Eternals 2’ In The Works With Chloe Zhao Returning To Direct

“We [were] going to introduce Hercules. That made no sense to me.” Taika told the crowd. “I didn’t even know [he was a character] in Marvel, but it is…I know it’s opening up a whole new thing, which I won’t be invited to or be a part of, but I’m happy for everyone who loves Greek Gods.”

Minor spoilers for “Thor: Love & Thunder,” but “Ted Lasso” actor Brett Goldstein played Hercules, the son of Russell Crowe’s Zeus, in a post-credit scene, was expected to return to the MCU, and now we basically know something is in the works.

In the Marvel comics, the hard-drinking superhero from the pages of the “Thor,” referred to as “The Prince of Power,” eventually joined the Avengers in a roster that had Hercules fighting alongside Kit Harington’s Black Knight and Gemma Chan’s Sersi, both previously featured in “Eternals.” Hercules’ comic book sidekick is Amadeus Cho, another Marvel character that develops Hulk powers. His mother, Dr. Helen Cho, briefly appeared in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” played by Korean actress Claudia Kim. Speaking of Hulks, it’s worth mentioning that Jennifer Walters from “She-Hulk: Attorney At Law” has had romantic encounters with Hercules as well and could open the door for the Prince of Power to intermingle with her at some point.

Could this Hercules project be, in fact, “Eternals 2”? That could be one solid option, given that the Eternals and Olympians, aka Greek Gods, have come to blows and have worked together in the comics. But then again, a Disney+ series might be another option to flesh out Hercules in his own adventures as the streaming service continues to churn out MCU content. 

Oddly enough, at the same time, Guy Ritchie is directing a live-action film based on the Disney animated film “Hercules” that The Russo Brothers are producing. Hopefully, this won’t be too confusing for audiences.