Exclusive: Percy Jackson's Epic Transformation from Book to Screen Unveiled by Director
Exciting updates on Disney's Percy Jackson Show! Director reveals clarifications on changes from the book, promising surprises and raising anticipation for a faithful adaptation Fans, get ready for a thrilling journey!
Summary
James Bobin, the director of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, has confirmed that the forthcoming Disney Plus series remains highly loyal to Rick Riordan's novels, with only minimal alterations.
The show's faithfulness to the books could compensate for the poor reception of the two previous movie adaptations, both of which significantly deviated from Riordan's source material. With a substantial pre-existing fanbase, the show is likely to attract a large audience right from the beginning.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians director James Bobin provides clarity on the level of faithfulness the upcoming Disney Plus show will have to the original material. The series, based on Rick Riordan's beloved novels, will depict the protagonist Percy Jackson's efforts to prevent a conflict among the gods of Olympus upon discovering his lineage as Poseidon's son. This show comes after two previous film adaptations in 2010 and 2013, which garnered significant backlash for straying from Riordan's literary works.
As the release date of Percy Jackson and the Olympians approaches, Bobin, the director of the opening episodes, discusses with CBR how closely the new adaptation follows Riordan's work. While the adaptation strives to stay faithful to the books, there are still unexpected elements that will surprise audiences. Check out Bobin's full comment below:
"I believe it's a combination of both. We are meticulous in our approach and hold a deep appreciation for these books. We cherish them for what they were, and I vividly remember reading the scripts for the first time. Seeing 'Percy Jackson, bracket 12 [years old]' after his name reassured me that we were on the right path."
Why A Faithful Percy Jackson Adaptation Is Good News
: Given the emotional complexity of the world as perceived by a twelve-year-old, this point is undeniably intricate. Nevertheless, there will be a broad consensus on most aspects. However, there will also be certain instances which may pleasantly surprise individuals, as we deliberately opted for deviations from the original book.
Chris Columbus' Percy Jackson movie in 2010 failed to live up to expectations, receiving lackluster reviews from both audiences and critics alike. The film was criticized for its perceived soullessness, as it appeared to be merely a cash grab attempting to replicate the success of the beloved Harry Potter franchise. Furthermore, there was also dissatisfaction with the significant alterations made to the storyline compared to the original book. The sequel released in 2013 performed even more poorly, ultimately disappointing at the box office.
Riordan himself was highly critical of the films, expressing his frustration on his blog regarding his lack of involvement and unsuccessful attempts to rectify what he believed were significant mistakes. One major change in the movie was the decision to age up the characters, making Percy 17 instead of 12. This resulted in a tonal shift that greatly differed from the books, ultimately alienating a crucial demographic that the books had appealed to.
However, with Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians show, Riordan is now involved as a creator. The characters' ages remain faithful to the book, and the trailers suggest that the series is more of a tribute to the readers rather than a money-making venture. While it remains uncertain how well the show will be received by those unfamiliar with Riordan's source material, its faithfulness to the books could attract a devoted and sizable following right from the start.
Source: CBR
