Hollywood's ongoing revival of classic Greek myths is expanding further into the fantasy realm as Disney sets its sights on a standalone movie centered entirely on the legendary Gorgon, Medusa. The project brings a fresh cinematic focus to one of antiquity's most enduring figures, building upon a wave of mythological storytelling that currently includes sweeping adaptations like The Odyssey and Disney's own Percy Jackson television series. According to exclusive reporting from Deadline, the studio has tapped Michael Montemayor to write the screenplay. Montemayor is already known to the studio ecosystem through his work co-writing the upcoming Tangled remake.
Development for the standalone feature is moving forward via Seven Bucks, the well-known production company founded by Disney alumnus Dwayne Johnson. However, industry sources note that Johnson himself is not currently involved in the day-to-day operations or production of this specific title. Medusa holds a prominent, fearsome fixture within traditional Greek mythology as one of three Gorgons possessing the supernatural ability to petrify living people into stone with a single glance. Unlike her immortal sisters, Euryale and Stheno, Medusa was entirely mortal, a vulnerability that ultimately allowed the legendary Greek hero Perseus to successfully behead her.
Key takeaways
- Disney is developing a solo feature film centered on the Greek mythological figure Medusa.
- Michael Montemayor, who co-wrote the upcoming Tangled remake, has been tapped to write the script.
- The project is coming via Dwayne Johnson's production company, Seven Bucks, though Johnson is not currently involved.
- Medusa is famous in Greek mythology as a mortal Gorgon with the ability to turn people into stone.
Cultural footprint and previous adaptations
The iconic mythological character has enjoyed an extensive history across various forms of entertainment and popular culture over the decades. Audiences have previously encountered iterations of the character in numerous projects inspired by ancient Greek myths, including both versions of the feature film Clash of the Titans, the acclaimed God of War video game franchise, and various Percy Jackson adaptations. Beyond direct adaptations of the original myth, her cultural influence echoes strongly through modern media properties. Examples include Dusa from the hit video game Hades, which draws direct inspiration from the mythical figure, and the popular anime and manga series One Piece, which features a trio of Gorgon sisters using the myth to claim they are cursed as a cover for their Devil Fruit powers.
Specific plot details regarding Montemayor's upcoming script remain heavily under wraps, though initial reports indicate that the writer is aiming for a very unique take on the traditional myth. Right now, this creative direction could point in virtually any direction for the studio. Naturally, because the project is housed at Disney, speculation has already begun regarding whether the studio's signature musical elements could eventually find their way into the production. For the time being, Disney has not confirmed any further details regarding casting decisions, production timelines, or a targeted release date.
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