Percy Jackson and The Olympians on Disney+ may finally reward longtime fans with the cast that they have always envisioned, if recent hints from Rick Riordan are any indication. A streaming television show based on the bestselling book series has been tossed around for several years now, with little news coming out. But the long-awaited announcement that a Percy Jackson series was greenlit by Disney+ has brought author Rick Riordan out to discuss the show.
Based on the Rick Riordan books that began being published in 2005, Percy Jackson and the Olympians has become a cultural sensation. The books (five in the original series, as well as five spin-off series) have sold over a hundred million copies in the United States alone. The beloved Percy Jackson series has already spawned two feature films, 2010's Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief and 2013's Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. Unfortunately, both Percy Jackson films failed to meet expectations, which is why so many long-time fans of the series are concerned about the upcoming Disney+ adaptation. But Percy Jackson fans should be happy about the latest news from Riordan, who has made sure to keep his fans posted about the show's progress on his website and social media.
According to a recent post on Rick Riordan's website, the author spoke about a casting session for Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+. "Seeing these actors taking on the roles in person made me appreciate once again just how talented and capable middle school kids can be when given a chance to shine. They were all amazing." The original casting for the films included twenty-something actors Logan Lerman (Hunters) and Alexandra Daddario, who played Rachel in The White Lotus. This highlights one of the biggest issues with the original films, because aging up the characters took away some of the magic that had been experienced by middle-grade readers. The books allowed children to see themselves in the story, but when the characters were turned into teenagers, it took away some of that connection. By casting true middle schoolers as the main characters, the show is already demonstrating a loyalty to the source material that the earlier films did not.
But even more important to the overall feel of Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the excellent news that Rick Riordan is heavily involved in the show's production. The veteran author, who will be cowriting the pilot episode, has stated "I am involved in every conversation, every draft." He is obviously also involved in casting decisions. Riordan has also posted teasing hints about construction for the Percy Jackson sets and costuming. The fact that the story's creator will have such a hand in adapting the tale to television should ease the minds of the people who felt let down by the earlier versions put to screen, especially since Riordan has made it clear that he was not very involved in the previous adaptations.
Adapting any book to film can be challenging but given the complexity and creativity of the world of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, a television show is likely a much better vehicle for the property than film. With longer screen times, a television show can really give viewers time to understand the world in which the story takes place, as well as giving the characters plenty of time to grow into their heroics. And with an extraordinary writer like Rick Riordan guiding the filmmakers on the intricacies of his world, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, set to begin filming in June, should prove to fulfill Percy's destiny in a way the prior films have failed.
Watch Percy Jackson on Disney+ when it releases next year.