Demigods in film
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Demigods in film

Some of the more interesting mythical characters have got to be the demigods in Greek mythology. Their stories are so engrossing that film production companies and writers scramble to have their takes of these legends adapted to feature film. But who did it best? Check out our list of favourite Greek demigods in film below!

Perceus/Perseus

Perceus or Perseus, in Greek mythology, is said to be the son of Greek God Zeus and the Greek hero who killed Medusa, as well as claimed Andromeda, having rescued her from a sea monster sent by Poseidon. He was also the first of the Greek mythology heroes who defeated various archaic monsters and provided the founding myths of the Twelve Olympians.

Best film appearance: "Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters"

Though it might not be solely about Perseus, this modern take on Greek mythology tells the tale of a demigod who was named after Perceus, but is instead the son of Poseidon, not Zeus. The film, which is a sequel to " Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief ", is about Percy Jackson (played by Logan Lerman), a troubled 12-year-old boy with dyslexia and ADHD who discovers that he is a demigod, and is mentioned in the Great Prophecy given by the Oracle. Perseus was also played by Sam Worthington in 2010's "Clash Of The Titans".

Helen of Troy

Also known as Helen of Sparta, Helen of Troy was the daughter of Zeus and either Leda or Nemesis. She was also the sister of Castor, Pollux, and Clytemnestra. In Greek mythology she was considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world and her abduction by Paris brought about the Trojan War.

Best film appearance: "Troy"

Helen of Troy was portrayed by Diane Kruger in the 2004 film "Troy". Two emerging nations begin to clash after Paris (played by Orlando Bloom), the Trojan prince, convinces Helen to leave her husband, Menelaus, and sail with him back to Troy. Helen of Troy had also appeared in many other productions including the popular TV show "Xena: The Warrior Princess". Helen of Troy also appears as a recurring character in Disney's "Hercules: The Animated Series" as the most popular student of Prometheus Academy and girlfriend of Adonis.

Hercules

Known as Heracles in ancient Greek mythology, Hercules was described as the greatest Greek hero, a paragon of masculinity, and a champion of the Olympian order against chthonic monsters. The name Hercules is more known in Rome and the modern West. He was known for his extraordinary strength, courage, ingenuity, and sexual prowess with both males and females. Heracles was also able to use his wits on several occasions when his strength did not suffice, such as wrestling the giant Antaeus, or tricking Atlas into taking the sky back onto his shoulders.

Best film appearance: Disney's "Hercules"

In the well-known Disney animated classic, Hercules was voiced by Tate Donovan and the story revolves around a Hercules who is stripped of his immortality as an infant and must prove himself to be a true hero in order to reclaim his place in Mount Olympus. The movie had the likes of Danny DeVito as his mentor, Philoctetes and Susan Egan as Hercules' mortal love Megara. A young Ryan Gosling also portrayed the titular hero for a Disney TV series called "Young Hercules", but it did not last very long.

Theseus

Theseus was the mythical founder-king of Athens, and like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles, he battled and overcame foes that were identified with an archaic religious and social order. The most popularly known tale of Theseus is that he volunteered to slay the Minotaur, sent by King Minos. Theseus was also known as a great abductor of women. He chose Helen of Troy, and kidnapped her, intending to keep her until she was old enough to marry.

Best film appearance: "Immortals"

"Man Of Steel" actor Henry Cavill portrayed Theseus in Tarsem Singh's "Immortals". Loosely based on the mythology, "Immortals" tells the tale of a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity. Theseus also shows up in "Helen Of Troy" played by Stellan Skarsgård, and in the 2006 film "Minotaur" played by Tom Hardy.

Achilles

The Greek mythological hero of the Trojan War is also the central character and greatest warrior of Homer's epic play "Iliad". During the Trojan War Achilles slayed the Trojan hero Hector outside the gates of Troy. Although the death of Achilles is not presented in the "Iliad", other sources concur that he was killed near the end of the Trojan War by Paris, who shot him in the heel with an arrow.

Best film appearance: "Troy"

Achilles was portrayed by Joe Montana in TV movie "Helen of Troy", and more famously, by Brad Pitt in 2004's "Troy". Achilles is also mentioned in a lot of pop culture references like in the song "Achilles Last Stand" by Led Zeppelin and as the name of a hardcore band.


Related Movies:
Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters (08 Aug 2013)
Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters (08 Aug 2013)
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