James Woods just gave Disney fans something to talk about.
The actor behind one of the most iconic Disney villain voices in history took to X this week to confirm what many suspected: he is still very much the voice of Hades, and he has been in a recording studio recently.
What James Woods Actually Said
In response to a trivia post suggesting he had returned for “nearly every project” Hades appeared in, Woods pushed back with a correction. He clarified that it is not “nearly” but absolutely every time Hades appears in any iteration, he does the voice, adding that he was in the studio just a few weeks ago and that he loves the character and the creative team at Disney.
Not “nearly,” but absolutely every time Hades appears in any iteration, I do his voice. I was in the studio just a few weeks ago in fact. I love this character, and the creative team at Disney never fail to do top notch work. https://t.co/jUFwFBIh8y
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) May 17, 2026
That is a pretty clear signal that something is in the pipeline. The only question is what.
Kingdom Hearts IV Is the Leading Theory
Fans in the X thread were quick to point to Kingdom Hearts IV, which has been in development for over four years now. There is good reason for that suspicion. The Kingdom Hearts IV reveal trailer ended with Donald and Goofy venturing into the underworld to speak with Hades, presumably to get help locating Sora. That confirmed Hades will appear in the game.
Woods has also hinted on social media that he wishes he could say more about Kingdom Hearts IV, which has fans speculating that English dub recording is already underway. That lines up with his comment about being in the studio just weeks ago.
18 Times and Counting
Woods’ dedication to this role goes well beyond a typical voice acting gig. He has said in interviews that he enjoyed voicing Hades so much that he will always be willing to reprise the role in any future appearance, regardless of pay.
Including game re-releases, he has played Hades 18 times across film, television, video games, and theme parks. That track record includes the Hercules animated series, House of Mouse, multiple Kingdom Hearts titles, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, and the 2023 Disney short Once Upon a Studio.
What About the Live-Action Hercules?
The one project where his involvement is less certain is Disney’s upcoming live-action Hercules remake. Disney has a track record of bringing back original voice actors for live-action remakes, which gives fans hope for Woods’ return as Hades. However, nothing has been confirmed on that front.
Whether the studio recording session he mentioned is tied to Kingdom Hearts IV, an animated project, or something else entirely remains unknown for now. But one thing is clear: wherever Hades shows up next, James Woods plans to be there.
