Yesterday production began on director Brett Ratner’s actioner Hercules, with Dwayne Johnson playing the titular role.  The ensemble is described as “a revisionist take on the classic myth set in a grounded world where the supernatural does not exist,” and finds Hercules traveling Greece with five faithful companions until they are called upon by the benevolent ruler of Thrace to defeat a savage and terrifying warlord.  The pic has been a bit of a passion project for Johnson, and the actor has taken to Twitter to tease a bit of his transformed look for the character, for which he undergoes three hours of makeup every day.  Intimidating is probably going to be an understatement as soon as we see Johnson’s Hercules in full.

Hit the jump to take a look at the image of Johnson in the makeup chair.  The film also stars Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan, John Hurt, and Rebecca Ferguson.  Hercules opens on July 25, 2014.

Via Johnson’s Twitter.

3 hr daily process w/ multi-time Academy Award nominated hair & make up artists. Love the transformation.. #HERCULES

Here’s the official synopsis for Hercules:

Everyone knows the legend of Hercules and his twelve labors. Our story begins after the labors, and after the legend…

Haunted by a sin from his past, Hercules has become a mercenary.  Along with five faithful companions, he travels ancient Greece selling his services for gold and using his legendary reputation to intimidate enemies.  But when the benevolent ruler of Thrace and his daughter seek Hercules’ help to defeat a savage and terrifying warlord, Hercules finds that in order for good to triumph and justice to prevail… he must again become the hero he once was… he must embrace his own myth… he must be Hercules.