The Legend of Hercules set to face challenges

The upcoming movie THE LEGEND OF HERCULES is, most certainly, a movie that is set out to achieve an (appropriately coined) Herculean task: to be in contest with an upcoming similarly-themed Hercules movie as well (the other one stars Dwayne Johnson), to slingshot Kellan Lutz into an action superstar, and to redeem Renny Harlin's career.

The Legend of Hercules (formerly known as Hercules: The Legend Begins and Hercules 3D is an upcoming 2014 American action film directed by Renny Harlin and co-written with Daniel Giat, Giulio Steve and Sean Hood. The film stars Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins, Roxanne McKee and Liam Garrigan. It is one of two Hollywood-studio Hercules movies scheduled for 2014, with Paramount Pictures / MGM's Hercules: The Thracian Wars. [hit the jump to continue]

THE DOWNSIDE
It's a given that Kellan Lutz is not yet a "name" actor. The makers of this movie do hope though that this will make him a "star" and will make the movie be something that audiences will give strong positive response to. But let's face it; in comparison, the other Hercules movie (Hercules: The Thracian Wars) has an advantage merely because they have Dwayne Johnson as its star. In addition, it's not really flattering the fact that his previous filmography includes the Twilight movies.

Although Renny Harlin had directed some pretty awesome movies in the past, such as "Cliffhanger", "Die Hard 2", "Deep Blue Sea" and the underrated "The Long Kiss Goodnight", Harlin is notoriously been known to be the man that bankrupted the production company Carolco Pictures when he directed the box office failure "Cutthroat Island" in 1995. In his defense, Harlin pointed out that Carolco was already in ruin before Cutthroat Island even began shooting.

Harlin's style may be a little outdated, and partnering up with a lead like Lutz may not be such a promising project to redeem a fading career.

THE UPSIDE
On the upside, THE LEGEND OF HERCULES comes first on the race, early and without much competition, at least of similar (fantasy, action-adventure) genre, on the international market. Except here in the Philippines where it will have to face off with "47 Ronin" which was released in international theaters last December 25.

On the upside, maybe my forecast can be wrong; The movie itself is the final verdict. Kellan Lutz could possibly be great in this role, the movie could be spectacularly awesome, and the audience may respond in droves.

THE LEGEND OF HERCULES opens today January 8, 2014 in Philippine theaters.