A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus (Sam Worthington) –the demigod son of Zeus (Liam Neeson)–is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity’s lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades (Ralph Fiennes) and Poseidon (Danny Huston).
The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares (Ramirez), switch loyalties and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Pike), Poseidon’s demigod son, Argenor (Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.
Feel The Wrath
“Wrath of the Titans” brings the battle back to the mythical land of gods and monsters in a fight of cataclysmic proportions, bigger and bolder than ever before. And for our hero, Perseus, this time it’s personal.
“It’s an amazing adventure that takes Perseus to places no mortal has been before and pits him against enemies the likes of which no man has ever faced,” states director Jonathan Liebesman, who embraced the opportunity to work in one of his favorite genres while telling a story about facing your destiny. That is something, he says, “We all have to do eventually, if not quite as heroically, as Perseus. The reason Greek mythology is so timeless is because it’s full of classic archetypes, as well as tragedy, comedy, betrayal, revenge. It’s got it all and it is part of our collective culture. Everyone knows Zeus and Hades; everyone knows what the Underworld is.”
Having survived his first encounter with the Underworld in Medusa’s lair ten years earlier, Perseus has tried to forget the demons of the past and live a tranquil fisherman’s life with his son. But he’s given no choice when the war comes to him, and despite trying to hide his demigod identity for years, he can no longer deny his birthright…or his place on the battlefield.
“On his first quest, Perseus had lost everyone that mattered to him and was out for revenge, so on some level it probably didn’t matter to him if he lived or died,” Sam Worthington, who once again plays him, recalls. “But now he’s matured, has a kid he loves dearly, and is content with his life. He sees the world differently; he doesn’t want that world to change.”
But change it will, due in part to his sense of obligation to his father, the king of the gods, Zeus. Liam Neeson, who returns to the role, says he was eager for the chance to explore in greater depth the bond between fathers and sons, and also brothers. “Jonathan and the writers wanted to mine the difficult relationships between Zeus and his sons, Perseus and Ares, and his complex history with Hades and their own father, Kronos,” the actor notes. “That appealed to me greatly-the realism within a fantasy, the very human emotions driving this story that takes place in a fabled world.”
Ralph Fiennes, who reprises the role of Hades, adds, “I’ve always thought of the Greek gods as projections of human appetites and desires, especially when you think of our desire for immortality, eternal strength, eternal beauty and power. We can’t have those things, so we create these larger-than-life characters and fantastical stories.”
Also back on board for the epic adventure is producer Basil Iwanyk, who was thrilled to take on another mythological epic with new, even bigger beasts, with director Jonathan Liebesman at the helm. “Jonathan loved the material as much as I did and, like I did, he also thought it was really fun to run around Tenerife and Wales and the UK, staging full-scale battles and fighting monsters,” Iwanyk smiles. “His enthusiasm was infectious, and he really empowered the people around him, which brought out the best in everybody, cast and crew alike.”
Before a single sword could be raised, however, the script had to be penned. Iwanyk and fellow producer Polly Johnsen turned to scribes Dan Mazeau, David Leslie Johnson and Greg Berlanti to devise a death-defying quest for Perseus that would not just measure up to, but even exceed, his last one.
Mazeau says, “It was a really fun, collaborative process. Dave, Greg and I would sit down together for several hours a day, going through the research and figuring out what we would want to see on screen, because we’re all fans of that kind of material ourselves.” According to Johnson, “In the mythology, Perseus’ greatest adventures come to an end after he saves Andromeda, which happened in the first film. We had to imagine what he did next, to invent a new adventure for him, in essence creating a ‘lost myth’ that feels as though it should be part of his mythos.”
“Ancient myths feel familiar and are relatable to all of us, which is why they last throughout the centuries,” producer Polly Johnsen observes. “The writers came up with one that fits right in-a relevant, relatable story that delves into the universal themes of love and hate between fathers and sons, and sibling rivalry. Then Jonathan brought his gritty, realistic take to it which, combined with the huge fantastical elements, I think makes for the best of both worlds.”
“We tried to make an epic film in every sense of the word-an inspiring story with powerful themes, massive creatures, kinetic action sequences, spectacular settings and iconic characters played by an incredibly talented cast,” Liebesman says.
A Hero’s Return
“Wrath of the Titans” not only reunites Perseus with his godly father, Zeus, and duplicitous uncle, Hades, it was a reunion for the trio of actors who play them as well: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes.
“I couldn’t imagine anyone else in these roles, so I was thrilled that they each came back to continue the tale,” Liebesman says.
Worthington says he was interested in exploring the changes in his character after a decade or so has gone by in Perseus’ life. “Unlike before, he is now reluctant to join the fight. It’s not an easy decision, and his hesitation really comes from trying to determine what he feels is right: does he leave his son to help his father, or stay with his son and leave his father to go it alone?”
“In Greek mythology,” Liebesman notes, “the gods always neglect their human families. They’re very selfish. Perseus, despite being a demigod, is trying to live a selfless life as a mortal, dedicated to raising his kid.”
Perseus’ initial choice seems to be an easy one: he’s a parent, he’s not going anywhere, no matter how badly Zeus pleads with him, no matter how many of his dreams Zeus haunts. But the decision is really taken out of his hands when the fight quite literally comes to him in the form of a terrifying, three-headed Chimera that attacks his village. Of course, by fighting the monster, it becomes clear to all-including his son-that Perseus is no ordinary fisherman.
Regardless of how badly Perseus may want things to go back to the way they were, it’s clear to him that they’re not going to-that Zeus was right, the world is changing. It’s a message the god of thunder and lightning has been trying to convey to his brother Hades as well, but his warnings have fallen on deaf ears.
“Jonathan was very intent on redefining the relationship between the gods, particularly Hades and Zeus,” says Fiennes. “They’ve always had a difficult history, but this time it’s really coming to a head. The gods’ powers are diminishing as humankind is finding its own sense of self-worth. Hades has decided that the only way to maintain any kind of power-which for him equals immortality-is to release the eternal destructive force of his father, Kronos, from where he’s been imprisoned for so long. Zeus is against this as he knows it will mean mass destruction, so the brothers are at odds from the beginning.”
“Zeus realizes that the gods are weaker because it is time for humans to be strong,” Neeson explains. “He sees the rightness of that, he understands this new world order, and he’s okay with it. Unfortunately, he’s unable to convince Hades, and his benevolence toward mortals leaves him open to his brother’s old tricks.”
Though onscreen enemies, Neeson and Fiennes are great comrades off camera, and enjoyed working together once more. “Ralph is a very dear friend, and it was terrific to have so many scenes with him this time around.”
Occasionally, though, the seriousness of their roles got to the pair. “We burst out laughing a few times,” Neeson continues, “because, well, there we were again in long wigs and beards and breast plates, me with my thunderbolt and he with his pitchfork.”
Fiennes adds, “Liam and I had much more interaction in this film than in the last, and some really strong scenes to play, which we loved. And to be working with a friend is always a good thing.”
Several new cast members joined the production in critical roles as well. Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramirez took on the part of Ares, embittered son of Zeus. Resentful of the attention he feels his father has bestowed on his half-brother Perseus, the god of war is out for blood.
Ramirez relished the role. “I grew up watching fantasy movies and always had a wish to be in one,” he reveals. “So to play Ares, one of the most prominent Olympian gods and, by definition, the greatest warrior ever, was a chance to fulfill that in a really fun way. Ares enjoys fighting for the sake of fighting; the heat of battle is what ignites this character. He’s violent and aggressive, with a very big ego, yet fragile in a way-his pride is easily deflated by what he perceives to be Zeus’ preference for Perseus, the son who never loved Zeus. Ares feels excluded, so when Hades presents him with an opportunity for revenge, he takes it.”
“Edgar had an incredibly passionate take on Ares. He really delved into the jealousy and passion and anger that have built up inside the god for so long,” Liebesman says.
Another slighted offspring of the gods is Agenor, Poseidon’s long lost son who has turned into quite the criminal. Needing his innate expertise on the seas, Perseus seeks out Agenor, and finds him rotting in Queen Andromeda’s battlefield jail.
The role of Agenor, who proves not only a surprisingly strong ally but also provides a fair amount of comic relief on the dangerous endeavor, is played by Toby Kebbell. “Toby was fantastic,” his director states. “He has an edge and a real biting wit that he brought to the character, and he and Sam had a terrific banter together. Even though Agenor and Perseus had never met before our story, they almost immediately feel like family-they’re cousins, after all-when we see them together.”
“My character has no interest in the gods or the fact that he’s a demigod,” Kebbell offers. “He’s been deserted by his father and so he’s turned his back on that world. Perseus brings him around to realizing that it’s their generation’s responsibility to take care of this mess with the powers that they possess. And even though Agenor is nonchalant about it, he knows he’s got an understanding of the sea, given to him by his father, Poseidon, and that Perseus will need him to win this fight. Secretly, he appreciates the respect Perseus has given him. No one else has ever given him that; everyone else just looks on him as a thief, which is fair because he is a thief.”
English actress Rosamund Pike plays Agenor’s captor, Queen Andromeda. The princess of Argos in the previous film, Andromeda inherited the crown after the death of her parents, the king and queen, and has since become a warrior in defense of her kingdom, even as the world collapses around her.
Producer Iwanyk felt Pike’s physicality was “perfect-rough and tough, but queenly at the same time. She exuded leadership but never lost her femininity. And she could go toe-to-toe with Sam.”
“I liked Andromeda because she felt like a real heroine for girls,” Pike shares. “I think boys have so many action hero role models in films, and there are fewer female characters like that. But Andromeda has changed a great deal from the end of the first film, when she was helpless and needed to be rescued. Now she’s Queen of her country and leading her army in war. She’s a fighter, and is going to make sure she never needs to be rescued again.”
Once Perseus has gathered his forces-Agenor, Queen Andromeda and a few of her soldiers-they set off at sea, under Agenor’s navigation, for the remote island home of Hephaestus. As the forger of Zeus’ thunderbolt, Hades’ pitchfork and Poseidon’s trident (collectively known as the Spear of Triam), as well as the architect of the Titans’ prison, Tartarus, Hephaestus has valuable knowledge that Perseus must obtain in order to save his father and the world from the wrath of Kronos. Once married to the beautiful goddess Aphrodite, the fallen god now lives alone, with only a few giant Cyclops and mechanical owl Bubo, back in another brief but memorable cameo, for company.
Hephaestus is played with a sense of demented delight by Bill Nighy, who delved into the blacksmith’s background in order to fuel his character’s ironic ire. “If you take the simple fact that Hephaestus was born lame, rejected by his parents, thrown from Mount Olympus and fell for seven days before he hit land in the middle of nowhere, well… I like the extremity of that,” Nighy attests. “It was quite cool to play this put-upon guy. I mean, he did marry the goddess of love, but then she slept with everybody he knew. So he never had it easy. However, as an actor, if you’re given the part of a long- haired, scraggly-bearded demigod with a limp who invents a friend for himself, you’re in pretty good shape, you know?”
“Bill brought such a breath of fresh air to Hephaestus, as well as a sense of fun and playfulness to the set,” producer Johnsen remarks. “He was so lovely and he did so much with the character to express the humor in his otherwise serious scenes.”
With Hephaestus’ help, Perseus sets off on what he knows will be the most challenging battle of his life, one from which he might not return. As always, foremost in his mind are the safety and future of his son, Helius.
Because it’s clear from the beginning that it’s been just the two of them, Perseus and Helius, since Io’s death, it was also clear to the filmmakers that they needed to find a young actor who would have that kind of chemistry with Worthington. “That relationship had to feel real,” Iwanyk relates, “so Sam was very involved. Once we introduced him to John, they just clicked. Even though Sam has never played a father on screen before, he felt very protective of him and spent a lot of time with him, goofing around, having fun, which had a lot to do with making John feel comfortable.”
“I love John Bell,” Worthington says. “He’s a great kid. And it was a tough role, because he’s really the heart of the movie, which had to be established in a relatively short time. But he stepped up and he did a great job.”
The young actor enjoyed being on the set-especially for the battle his character witnesses when Perseus fights the Chimera. “There were explosions happening all around, I got to jump and scream and get pushed around,” he beams. “I even got some ‘Clash rash,’ which is what we called it when you fell over and got the grit from the ground stuck on you. Best part of making the movie!”
Rounding out the cast, Danny Huston once again appears as Poseidon, initially Zeus’ only ally; Lily James plays Korrina, Queen Andromeda’s handmaiden, who joins them on their quest; and Sinéad Cusack portrays Clea, the healer whom Perseus entrusts to educate Helius, and to look after him as Perseus embarks on the fight of his life.
Directed by: Jonathan Liebesman
Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Édgar Ramírez, Rosamund Pike
Screenplay by: David Johnson
