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James Woods Nabbed Hades Role After Nicholson's Snag
15 Oct
Summary
- Jack Nicholson sought $15 million and 50% of merchandise rights.
- Disney rejected Nicholson's merchandising demand as a dealbreaker.
- James Woods improvised lines, making Hades his iconic character.
Disney co-directors Ron Clements and John Musker initially envisioned Jack Nicholson for the role of Hades in the 1997 animated film Hercules. Animator Andreas Deja even created character designs resembling the actor. To court Nicholson, the filmmakers presented him with an animation test featuring a line from his role in A Few Good Men.
Despite seeming receptive, Nicholson's contract negotiations hit a major obstacle. Reports indicate he requested $10-15 million, coupled with a 50% share of the film's merchandising profits. This demand was a non-starter for Disney, leading them to seek other actors.
John Lithgow was briefly considered and even recorded some lines, but his performance did not fully capture the essence the directors sought. Following Lithgow's departure and a negative reaction from then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner, the studio recast the role.
James Woods ultimately took on the part, bringing his unique improvisational talent to Hades. He infused the character with a distinctive voice, adding memorable ad-libbed lines. Woods himself has described the role as one of the most enjoyable he has ever undertaken.
