Disney’s live-action remake of Hercules (1997), a vibrant musical retelling of the Greek myth, is generating buzz with its ongoing casting call for the pivotal role of Megara, the sharp-witted, cynical love interest of the titular hero. Announced in 2020, the project, produced by the Russo Brothers and directed (potentially) by Guy Ritchie, promises a fresh, possibly experimental take on the animated classic, with a focus on maintaining its musical roots. Recent reports indicate Disney is considering four powerhouse actresses for Megara: Ariana Grande, Jenna Ortega, Rachel Zegler, and Elizabeth Gillies. With fans passionately debating the choice, this article analyzes the Hercules remake’s content, the actresses’ qualifications, and potential “plot twists” in the casting process, ultimately assessing who might be the best fit to bring Megara’s sass, vulnerability, and iconic ballad “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” to life.

Content Analysis: The Hercules Remake and Megara’s Role

The 1997 animated Hercules is a beloved Disney classic, blending Greek mythology with a Broadway-style score by Alan Menken and David Zippel. The live-action adaptation, still in development as of August 2025, aims to capture the original’s energy while introducing modern elements, potentially inspired by TikTok culture or a villain-centric perspective (rumored to focus on Hades). Megara, or “Meg,” is a complex character: a femme fatale with a sharp tongue, a tragic past tied to a deal with Hades, and a guarded heart that softens for Hercules. Her role demands vocal prowess, emotional depth, and a commanding presence to balance cynicism with vulnerability.

Core Themes

Independence vs. Vulnerability: Megara’s arc revolves around her struggle to reclaim agency after being bound to Hades. Her sarcastic exterior hides a wounded heart, making her a standout Disney heroine who defies damsel stereotypes.

Love and Redemption: Meg’s romance with Hercules, culminating in her sacrifice, is central to the story. Her ballad “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” requires a performer who can convey emotional conflict through song and subtle acting.

Mythology Meets Modernity: The remake’s experimental approach may reframe Meg’s story with contemporary flair, necessitating an actress who can bridge classic Disney charm with modern relatability.

Narrative Context

The live-action Hercules is expected to retain the original’s musical numbers, including Meg’s signature song, while expanding the narrative with new visuals or perspectives. The casting of Megara is critical, as she drives key emotional beats and provides the story’s romantic and moral core. The choice among Grande, Ortega, Zegler, and Gillies will shape how the film balances fidelity to the original with fresh interpretation.

Cast Analysis: Who Fits Megara?

Disney’s consideration of Ariana Grande, Jenna Ortega, Rachel Zegler, and Elizabeth Gillies reflects a focus on young, versatile actresses with musical and acting credentials. Below, we evaluate each contender’s suitability based on their skills, public persona, and alignment with Megara’s character.

Ariana Grande:

Background: A pop superstar and actress, Grande, 31, rose to fame on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and earned critical acclaim as Glinda in Wicked (2024), garnering Golden Globe and SAG nominations. Her 2020 performance of “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” for a Disney singalong went viral, sparking fan campaigns for her to play Megara.

Strengths: Grande’s vocal range and stage presence are ideal for Meg’s demanding ballad. Her ability to embody charismatic, larger-than-life characters (like Glinda) aligns with Meg’s bold personality. Her high ponytail and glamorous persona visually echo Meg’s iconic look.

Challenges: Grande has denied being approached for the role, stating in a January 2025 Variety interview that discussions were “never actual.” She endorsed Elizabeth Gillies instead, suggesting a preference to avoid typecasting in another musical role. Her pop-star image might overshadow Meg’s gritty edge.

Fit: Strong, but her reluctance and focus on new acting challenges make her less likely.

Jenna Ortega:

Background: At 22, Ortega is a rising star known for Wednesday (2022) and Scream (2022), with a knack for portraying sardonic, complex characters. While not primarily a singer, she has musical theater experience and a growing fanbase among younger audiences.

Strengths: Ortega’s deadpan delivery and expressive eyes suit Meg’s cynical humor and hidden vulnerability. Her ability to play strong, independent women aligns with Meg’s defiance. Her youth could bring a fresh, relatable take to the character, appealing to Gen Z viewers.

Challenges: Ortega’s limited vocal experience may pose a challenge for Hercules’s musical demands. Her gothic persona from Wednesday might clash with Meg’s vibrant, Grecian aesthetic, requiring a significant transformation.

Fit: Promising, but her singing ability needs to match the role’s requirements.

Rachel Zegler:

Background: Zegler, 24, skyrocketed to fame as Maria in West Side Story (2021) and starred as Lucy Gray in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023). Her recent role in Evita (2025) showcases her musical theater prowess, though an alleged rehearsal meltdown has sparked controversy.

Strengths: Zegler’s powerful vocals and emotional depth make her a strong contender for Meg’s ballad and dramatic arc. Her experience with complex, tragic heroines aligns with Meg’s backstory. Her Latina heritage could add cultural depth to a reimagined Meg.

Challenges: The Evita controversy, involving a rumored prop-throwing incident, may raise concerns about her professionalism under pressure, though this could be exaggerated. Her youthful energy might need tempering to capture Meg’s world-weary edge.

Fit: Excellent, with her musical theater background and dramatic range making her a top choice.

Elizabeth Gillies:

Background: At 32, Gillies is known for her role as Jade West in Victorious and her work in Dynasty. A Broadway veteran from 13, she has a strong singing voice and a friendship with Grande, who endorsed her for Megara in January 2025.

Strengths: Gillies’s sultry voice and commanding presence perfectly match Meg’s sardonic, femme-fatale vibe. Her theater experience and ability to play edgy, confident characters make her a natural fit. Grande’s endorsement amplifies her visibility for the role.

Challenges: Gillies has less mainstream fame than her peers, which could affect Disney’s preference for a high-profile star. Her limited film experience compared to stage and TV roles might require adjustment for a blockbuster.

Fit: Outstanding, potentially the best match for Meg’s personality and vocal demands.

Plot Twists: The Casting Drama

The casting process for Megara has its own narrative twists, reflecting the high stakes of Disney’s remake:

Grande’s Deflection: Grande’s public denial of involvement and endorsement of Gillies was unexpected, shifting attention to her lesser-known friend. This could be a genuine preference or a strategic move to avoid pressure, but it has boosted Gillies’s profile.

Fan Backlash: Rumors of Grande and Taron Egerton as leads sparked criticism, with fans flooding X with concerns about typecasting or suitability, potentially influencing Disney’s considerations.

Ortega’s Dark Horse Status: Ortega’s inclusion, despite her limited musical background, is a twist, suggesting Disney is open to unconventional choices for a modernized Meg.

Zegler’s Controversy: The Evita meltdown rumor, if true, could impact Zegler’s chances, but a successful opening might flip the narrative, positioning her as a resilient star.

Hades-Centric Rumor: Reports of the film focusing on Hades’s perspective could shift Meg’s role, requiring an actress who can stand out in a villain-driven story, favoring Gillies or Zegler’s dramatic chops.

Production and Style

Directed by Guy Ritchie (though his involvement is uncertain), Hercules is produced by the Russo Brothers’ AGBO, with a script by Dave Callaham. The film is expected to retain the original’s musical numbers, with a vibrant, Grecian aesthetic and modern elements like TikTok-inspired visuals. Megara’s role requires a performer who can handle elaborate choreography, period costumes, and a dynamic vocal performance. The casting call’s focus on diverse, talented actresses suggests Disney aims for a culturally resonant, marketable star.

Reception and Anticipation

As of August 2025, Hercules lacks confirmed casting, but fan excitement is high, fueled by debates on X. Grande’s 2020 performance of “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” sparked petitions, while Gillies’s endorsement has gained traction. Ortega and Zegler’s rising profiles add intrigue, though Zegler’s Evita controversy has divided opinions. The film’s success hinges on choosing a Meg who can carry the musical and emotional weight, with fans split between Grande’s star power and Gillies’s tailored fit.

Who Is the Best Fit?

Ariana Grande: A fan favorite with unmatched vocals, but her denial and focus on new roles suggest she’s out.

Jenna Ortega: A bold choice for her acting prowess, but her limited singing experience is a risk.

Rachel Zegler: A strong contender with musical theater expertise, though her recent controversy may raise concerns.

Elizabeth Gillies: The dark horse, with the perfect blend of vocal talent, edgy charisma, and alignment with Meg’s persona, bolstered by Grande’s endorsement.

Verdict: Elizabeth Gillies is the most suitable for Megara, offering the vocal strength, sardonic edge, and theatrical experience to embody the character’s complexity. Her lower profile could be a fresh choice for Disney, avoiding the baggage of bigger stars.

Conclusion

Disney’s casting call for Megara in the live-action Hercules has sparked a fascinating debate, with Ariana Grande, Jenna Ortega, Rachel Zegler, and Elizabeth Gillies each bringing unique strengths. Gillies stands out for her alignment with Meg’s persona, while Zegler’s musical prowess and Ortega’s acting range make them compelling contenders. Grande’s star power is undeniable, but her disinterest shifts focus to her peers. The casting process’s twists—fan backlash, Grande’s endorsement, and Zegler’s controversy—mirror the drama of a Greek myth. As Hercules moves toward production, the choice of Megara will define its emotional and commercial success, proving that finding the perfect heroine is a heroic task in itself.