MGM has been in the news a lot lately; announcing a new 'Ben-Hur,' a possible sequel to 'Hot Tub Time Machine,' and now setting the release date for one their bigger in development projects. As you may remember, Brett Ratner will be directing 'Hercules: The Thracian' war, centering of course on the mythic hero. The Mt. Olympus-sized Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will be taking the titular role. The film will be based on a graphic novel by Steve Moore with Ryan Condol adapting for the screen. Though production has not yet begun, the film is now slated for release on August 8th, 2014. This would place 'Hercules: The Tracian War' one week behind Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy.'

Whenever the subject of an upcoming film's release date is raised, we will inevitably find ourselves talking about what other movies surround that date. In the case of 'Hercules: The Thracian War,' the only other film that has been confirmed for August of 2014 is James Gunn's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' the week before. That might sound like suicide for Ratner's film (even more so than the fact that it is in fact a Ratner film), but ask yourself why Marvel scheduled 'Guardians' for August as opposed to earlier that summer. August is usually reserved for the potential surprises more than the projects overflowing with studio confidence. Part of me wonders if Marvel is still unsure about 'Guardians' making bank in the prime summer months, as it is a lesser-known property. Therefore, MGM's move to open their Hercules film a week later doesn't seem so crazy. One thing I didn't know about Moore's graphic novel until today, sometime that really piques my interest toward this film, is that it takes a great deal of the supernatural out of the Herc story and grounds it more in the real world. That should please anyone who was concerned about 'Thracian War' being another 'Scorpion King.'

What do you guys think? Has Brett Ratner's 'Hercules' picked the right release date? Are you at all interested in seeing it?

Source: Deadline