Disney+'s highly-anticipated Percy Jackson series has found its lead in The Adam Project's Walker Scobell. Rick Riordan's beloved YA series Percy Jackson and the Olympians once seemed primed to be the next Harry Potter-level big screen franchise, but the two movies that arrived from Fox in 2010 and 2013 failed to win over the fan base. Luckily, it is getting a second shot at a proper adaptation through a streaming series on Disney+. Riordan confirmed Percy Jackson was in development with Disney back in 2020, but it officially received the greenlight earlier this year.
The casting process heated up soon after. Unlike the movies, Percy Jackson the show will stick with younger performers to tell its story. This falls in line with the books, which follow 12-year-old Percy's adventures after he discovers he's actually a demigod and is the son of the Greek sea god Poseidon. Percy Jackson season 1 will be comprised of 8 episodes and is expected to begin filming this summer. Riordan hinted recently that some major casting announcements were on the way, and now the biggest has dropped.
Disney+ has announced Walker Scobell has been cast as the lead for the Percy Jackson series. He's just coming off a breakout role in the Netflix film The Adam Project opposite Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo and will next be seen in the movie Secret Headquarters, which stars Owen Wilson and Michael Peña. Disney+ also issued the official character breakdown for Percy, which fans will find closely aligns with the books:
Percy Jackson is a smart and compassionate kid with a sharp sense of humor. He's always seen himself as an outsider, in no small part because of how the world sees his ADHD and dyslexia. He's impulsive and rambunctious and is quick to anger when things seem unfair to him. But beneath his cynicism is an affectionate son and loyal friend who just wants to do right by those he cares about. If only he could find a place where he fits in.
Scobell's casting announcement also featured the confirmation that production is still on track to begin this summer. Percy Jackson season 1 will cover the events of Riordan's first book, The Lightning Thief. Not long after discovering his godly origins, Percy must embark on his first quest when the king of Olympus himself, Zeus, accuses him of stealing his master lighting bolt. Percy Jackson will travel to exciting locations like Mount Olympus and the Underworld in its first season alone, and Riordan has already promised they are true to the books while bringing in some fresh elements. Riordan's involvement with Percy Jackson has gone a long way in easing concerns among the fan base.
Still on deck are the casting announcements for the key roles of Annabeth and Grover. While those are undoubtedly also exciting, things can't get much bigger than the titular lead. The Adam Project was Scobell's first movie, yet that film is more than enough to show audiences that he will make an excellent Percy Jackson. In that Netflix blockbuster, Scobell played the younger version of Reynolds' character and therefore had to match the Deadpool actor's witty personality. Percy is known for his wry nature, and it already looks like Scobell will be able to balance that with his more sincere moments. Percy Jackson so far seems to be in good hands.
Source: Disney+