Summary
Portraying Grover Underwood in the highly-anticipated Disney+ production Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Aryan Simhadri expresses how deeply the book series influenced him and expresses his excitement to be involved in the television adaptation.
The TV series takes a different approach from previous film adaptations by striving to maintain the essence of the books and authentically portraying the vibrant energy of the characters. With Simhadri's sincere enthusiasm for the novels, Percy Jackson and the Olympians appears to be highly anticipated.
In a recent conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Aryan Simhadri, who plays Grover Underwood in the upcoming Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, discusses his personal connection to the beloved Rick Riordan books. Simhadri reveals that the book series was actually the second one he ever read, and it had a profound impact on him. He expresses his disbelief and excitement at being a part of the TV adaptation. Here is the full quote from Simhadri:
It was the second book series I ever read, I think, and it left a lasting impression on me. Like, not just, 'Oh, those books are cool,' but they genuinely helped me. I grew up with them, as I'm sure many others did. I can't fully grasp the fact that I have the opportunity to be a part of something that I admire and look up to so greatly.
How Percy Jackson and the Olympians Will Relate To The Books
Following the release of The Lightning Thief, the first novel in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, 20th Century Fox acquired the rights to adapt the book into a film in 2010. However, this adaptation was heavily criticized by both reviewers and fans. Many believed that the film did not capture the essence of the beloved book, resulting in widespread disappointment. Despite the negative reception, the studio decided to proceed with a sequel titled Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, which received a similarly unfavorable reaction.
The TV series adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians seeks to rectify this issue, as evident in Simhadri's statement. Unlike the cast of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Simhadri and his fellow actors grew up with the novels, making them more relatable to the characters' age group. In the first book, Percy Jackson is a twelve-year-old surrounded by pre-teens at Camp Half Blood, whereas Logan Lerman, who played the lead in The Lightning Thief, was already 18 years old, aging the character up.
By casting actors who fall within the age range of the characters, Percy Jackson and the Olympians can more effectively capture the youthful energy of the Camp Half Blood adventures. Simhadri's comments further enhance the series' potential, as he possesses a genuine affinity for the novels that goes beyond a mere appreciation. With such profound passion driving the project, Percy Jackson and the Olympians appears even more promising.
Source: EW