Hades (Disney)

Hades, played by James Woods, is the sadistic villain in the 1997 movie Hercules, based on the Greek god Hades. Hades makes an appearance in Kingdom Hearts series. Unlike the mythological Hades, this particular one is actually a fast-talking, evil deity (this probably drew some inspiration from modern Christian views of the Devil). The character's mannerisms were due to James Woods ending up using a "car-dealer"-style voice while the movie was being made. His hair is blue fire, and whenever he gets upset, it flares and becomes red (ironically, because for common carbon-burning fire, blue indicates a hotter flame than red).

Hercules

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Hades.

In the 1997 animated film, Hades sought to overthrow his big brother Zeus and rule Mount Olympus for himself. Upon visiting the Fates, he learned that he was to succeed, but there was a catch. If Zeus's son, his nephew, Hercules was to fight Hades, Hercules would win.

Hades sent his two demons, Pain and Panic, to kidnap baby Hercules and give him a potion that would erase his powers. Hercules needed to drink every last drop for it to work, but that's how much was spilled; the last drop. Thus, Hercules became half-God and spent his life on Earth.

Later, a young woman named Megara, or Meg, sold her soul to Hades so that he would rescue her lover. He did, but soon Meg's lover fled for another girl. Meg was stuck doing tasks for Hades.

Hades would send numerous threats to kill Hercules, such as the Hydra, but none worked. When he found out that Meg had fallen in love with Hercules, he took this to this advantage and made a deal with Hercules. He asked Hercules to give up his powers for twenty four hours (when he was set to overtake Mount Olympus) in exchange for Meg's freedom. Hercules agreed, as long as Meg wouldn't be hurt.

Hades attacked Mount Olympus with the Titans and succeeded in overthrowing Zeus without Hercules to stop him. The Cyclops was sent to Earth. Hercules, despite being powerless, managed to take down the monster, using his wits instead of his strength.

However, Meg was fatally crushed saving Hercules from a falling pillar. This negated Hades' deal that Meg would not be hurt. Hercules was thus given his powers back and returned to Mount Olympus where he easily took down the Titans and freed the gods.

Hades was furious, but he taunted Hercules that he at least had a parting gift: Meg's soul. Hercules traveled to the Underworld to rescue her. He swam into the River Styx to retrieve her soul. It almost killed him, when his full Godliness was restored by willing to risk his life to save Meg. Hercules emerged from the pit.

Hades begged the hero to try and ease things with him and the other gods, but Hercules decided to let Hades spread his evil no longer and punched him into the River Styx, where he was swarmed by the spirits of the dead. It is unknown, however likely, that he escaped, as, being a god, he is unaffected by the river, although, as he is shown to be affected slightly, and the movie never directly refers to him as one, the movie may ignore his status as a god.

Fantasmic

Hades was called on by The Queen and Jafar to fight Mickey Mouse in the nighttime show spectacular. He is eventually defeated along the rest of the villains in the end.

Kingdom Hearts series

Kingdom Hearts

He was originally in league with Maleficent, using the Heartless to try to take over his world. Hades wanted to dispose of Hercules and tricked Cloud Strife into challenging Hercules in the Preliminaries at the Olympus Collesium. In return, Hades "promised" Cloud he'll lead him to Sephiroth. However, when Sora arrived, Hades changed plans and had Cloud attack Sora first. When Cloud refused to kill Sora after beating him (or when Sora is victorious over Cloud), Hades sends out Cerberus to take care of Cloud. However, Hercules arrived to get Cloud to safety while Sora & company dealt with Cerberus. Despite his loss, and losing Maleficent's support and her death, Hades decided to take care of Hercules AND Sora at the Hades Tournament. However, even when he fights Sora himself, Hades was defeated and all his schemes against Sora and the others ended in failure.

Trivia

• Hades' idea of wanting to take over Mt. Olympus was not mythological, but rather partially based from both the Hades of Marvel and DC Comics. The Marvel Hades having frequent fights and desire to eradictae Hercules may have inspired his part of the movie, though he is a spoofed up version.

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

A facsimile Hades appeared as token of Sora's memory & the darkness in Riku's heart. His plan is similar to the one he attempts in Kingdom Hearts, but with some differences. In this, he sets up a tournament in order to lure Hercules in, and hires Cloud to kill Hercules in exchange for recovering his memories (a promise that he never intended to honor; he claims that it is not easy to restore "true memories"). Cloud and Hercules fight, and while Cloud is too badly wounded to continue fighting, Hercules is also wounded. Hades arrives, easily scattering the two and reneging on his deal with Cloud ("You, my spiky-haired friend, are fired"). However, Sora attacks and defeats Hades.

Kingdom Hearts II

After talking with Pete and teaming up with him as part of his own scheme to conquer the universe, Hades attempted to take out Hercules by summoning Auron. Auron, however, rebelled against Hades almost immediately. He had Cerberus and the Hydra attack in an attempt to destroy Sora and his friends again. However both were defeated and the Hydra was killed in the process (but not before being able to destroy the Coliseum itself.). He also used Pete to kidnap Meg and open the underdrome. When they returned, Hades took direct action against them, but was defeated by the team of Sora, Donald, Goofy, Auron, and Hercules. After his defeat, he fell accidentally into the River Styx and vanished. He still managed to survive, however, because he is a god. This is proven as he reappears as a challenger in the last tournaments, which are unlocked near the end of the game. He is the only villain that at Sora can speak to without provoking a boss fight.