Disney Medusa movie : Latest updates and release

Greek mythology has always been fertile ground for blockbuster cinema, and Disney's decision to develop a live-action "Medusa" film confirms the studio isn't done mining that territory. The project was officially reported by Deadline in late 2026, and it already has some serious names attached to it. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's production company, Seven Bucks Productions, is spearheading the development alongside Disney, which tells you something about the ambition behind this one.

Who is behind the Disney Medusa film ?

Seven Bucks Productions has built a solid track record with Disney. The company co-produced Jungle Cruise (2021), which pulled in over $220 million worldwide at the box office despite a hybrid theatrical and Disney+ release. That relationship clearly opened the door for bigger projects, and "Medusa" looks like the next step in that collaboration.

Dwayne Johnson will serve as executive producer on the film, alongside his Seven Bucks partners Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia. Melissa Fried will oversee the project for the label. Matt Smith (not the actor) is also producing through his company Electro Corduroy Entertainment. That's a lot of producers, sure, but each brings a specific function to the table.

On the writing side, Michael Montemayor has been hired to write the first draft. His plate is already full : he's simultaneously working on the live-action remake of Tangled and Stepsisters, a Cinderella spin-off centered on the stepsisters. Getting the same writer for three Disney live-action projects signals real trust from the studio in his ability to handle IP-heavy material.

Here's a quick overview of the key creatives attached so far :

• Executive producers : Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia (Seven Bucks Productions)
• Label oversight : Melissa Fried
• Producer : Matt Smith (Electro Corduroy Entertainment)
• Screenwriter (first draft) : Michael Montemayor

No director has been announced yet, and no casting decisions have been confirmed. The project is still in its earliest development phase, so anyone guessing release dates is getting ahead of themselves.

Medusa in pop culture : more than a villain with snake hair

Before diving into what Disney might do with this character, it's worth remembering how Medusa actually fits into Greek mythology. She's one of the three Gorgons, also called Gorgo, and the only mortal one among the trio. Her defining trait : a gaze that turns people to stone, combined with a head of living serpents instead of hair. Perseus eventually defeats her, using a mirrored shield to avoid looking directly at her.

The character has appeared across film and television more than people often realize. The Clash of the Titans franchise (1981 and the 2010 remake) gave her some of her most memorable big-screen moments. Disney itself has featured the character in animated contexts, including the Hercules animated series and, more recently, Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+. We track that show closely on our platform, and the mythological depth it brings to streaming has clearly influenced how Disney thinks about Greek mythology as a storytelling universe.

Disney has shown it can rehabilitate villain-centric stories : Cruella (2021) grossed over $233 million globally, and the Maleficent films performed even better. A Medusa origin story, depending on the angle chosen, could follow a similar path, giving audiences a more complex portrait of a figure mythology often reduces to a monster.

What creative direction could Disney take with Medusa ?

This is where things get genuinely interesting. The two obvious options are either a period piece set in ancient Greece or a modern-day reimagining that transplants the myth into a contemporary setting. Both come with real creative risks. A period setting demands rigorous world-building and significant budget. A modern take risks feeling gimmicky if not handled with care.

One practical challenge worth mentioning : the snake hair. It works in animation and in CGI-heavy action films, but a live-action interpretation that aims for some emotional depth will need to find a way to make Medusa sympathetic, or at least compelling, without the visual immediately alienating audiences who have a genuine fear of snakes. That's not a small creative problem to solve.

Disney has already signaled broader interest in mythological storytelling. Disney's decision to present Hexed at the Annecy International Film Festival shows the studio is actively exploring magical and supernatural narratives beyond its classic fairy tale catalogue. "Medusa" fits neatly into that broader strategic direction.

What we'd watch for next : a director announcement, any casting rumors, and whether the script moves from first draft to greenlight status. For a project still this early in development, things can shift quickly. We'll keep an eye on it and update our coverage as streaming and theatrical plans become clearer.