Kellan Lutz takes lead in Renny Harlin's 'Hercules 3D'

There will be two rival Hercules projects racing into theaters next year, and one has a definite advantage over the other. Brett Ratner has franchise fuel injector Dwayne Johnson set for his Hercules film, which is based on the Radical Comic series, Hercules: The Thracian War. Back in February we learned that Die Hard 2 director Renny Harlin was putting together his own 3D take on the mythological hero, and now he's found his leading man.

Kellan Lutz, mostly known for playing Emmett Cullen in the Twilight series, will take on the title role as the powerful Greek demigod in Hercules 3D.  Harlin has previously said the film would be similar in tone to Ridley Scott's Gladiator, and taking a mild shot at Ratner's project said his version "is not a comic book, cartoony fantasy thing". He's also impressed with the obvious physical attributes that Lutz brings to the table...

Harlin: "It takes more than a good physique to portray the most legendary, mythological personality in history — and Kellan has exactly that, personality. He's not afraid to explore the strengths and vulnerabilities of the character, and he impressed me with his passion and heart."

Lutz recently starred in the motion-capture Tarzan 3D opposite Spencer Locke, and looks to be positioning himself as an affordable option for smaller-budgeted action films. Hercules 3D is targeting a March 2014 release.