Ariana Grande Reveals Her Pick For Role Of Megara In Disney's Live-Action 'Hercules'

The story of Hercules is one for the ages, and singer Ariana Grande’s sights are set on a fabled figure to go the distance in a planned Disney film about the mythical hero.

In 2020, Grande took fans on a journey to the ancient world with a performance of “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love),” a ballad sung by the character Megara in the 1997 film “Hercules” from the Walt Disney Co. After the cover was released, fans practically climbed Mount Olympus as they rallied for her to take on the role of Meg in an upcoming live-action remake of that movie.

Now, with a Saturday episode of Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, Grande has addressed this proposed casting.

“I have seen some of that,” she said, while adding that “it’s never been an actual discussion.”

Singer Ariana Grande attends a gala event on Jan. 7, 2025, in New York City.
Singer Ariana Grande attends a gala event on Jan. 7, 2025, in New York City. Mike Coppola via Getty Images

The “Wicked” star went on to express her love for the 1997 film and said that she grew up singing the parts of the Muse characters. Grande shared that even though she loves “transforming for a role,” she’d be “remiss” if she didn’t say that fellow actor and singer Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies would be a “fantastic” choice to play Meg.

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The singer then put a playful twist on the conversation and said she wouldn’t mind playing a different character: Philoctetes, aka Phil — a role previously filled by Danny DeVito.

Actor Elizabeth
Actor Elizabeth "Liz" Gillies appears with Grande at a 2011 gala event in Beverly Hills, California. Angela Weiss via Getty Images

Grande and Gillies’ relationship can be traced back to their time on the Nickelodeon channel, with the two appearing together on the series “Victorious.”

When the pair reunited in 2015, Grande shared a video online that showed her sharing a kiss with Gillies. On social media, Grande explained that this was posted by accident, but Gillies seemed OK with it, writing:“HAHAHA. THAT GEM.”