Get Ready for Epic Adventure: Percy Jackson Author Reveals Exciting Details About Disney+ Show's Upcoming Release

Summary

Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan is confident that the new Disney Plus show will finally deliver a faithful adaptation of his popular book series.

Riordan has been a creative force in the series from the start, assuring his book fans that this adaptation will fulfill their long-awaited expectations. He has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the Percy Jackson movies, highlighting how his creative ideas were disregarded. However, he is confident that this won't be the case with the Disney Plus show.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians author Rick Riordan has high hopes for the new Disney Plus show, describing it as the long-awaited adaptation that fans of his books have been anticipating. Riordan's best-selling series, which debuted in 2005, introduced readers to beloved characters Percy, Annabeth, and Grover as they embarked on a grand adventure involving legendary characters from Greek mythology. Following the disappointing reception of two previous films, the Disney Plus Percy Jackson show is now poised to offer a faithful rendition of Riordan's original material.

With the release date of Percy Jackson and the Olympians drawing near, Riordan exudes his enthusiasm for the series in an interview with EW, conducted prior to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Riordan emphasizes his significant involvement in the creative process of the show, hinting that it will present a true live-action retelling of his beloved story. Take a look at Riordan's complete statement below:

How Disney's Percy Jackson Will Be Different From The Movies

We have been part of the process since the very beginning, from the earliest discussions about a new Percy adaptation. We have brainstormed how it should be brought to life, considering whether to make it episodic or not. So, for those devoted fans who have eagerly awaited this faithful adaptation, some even for decades, rest assured that this is the one you have been anticipating. Our involvement guarantees it, and I am confident that you will absolutely adore it.

In 2010, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief hit theaters to moderate success at the box office, but received mostly negative reviews from critics. Its sequel, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, released in 2013, fared even worse commercially and critically, marking the end of the film adaptations of Riordan's book series. The movies featured Logan Lerman as the main character, Brandon T. Jackson as Grover, and Alexandra Daddario as Annabeth.

Riordan's dissatisfaction with the two Percy Jackson movies has become widely known. He previously expressed his concerns on his blog, highlighting all the flaws in the adaptations. Despite providing suggestions for improvements, Riordan's creative input was largely ignored by the studio. Many of his proposed changes would have aligned the story and characters more closely with his books.

However, the Percy Jackson Disney Plus series is now poised to rectify past mistakes. Riordan is a co-creator of the show alongside Jonathan E. Steinberg and has been involved in writing the episodes. Even from the early trailers of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, it is evident that the series will adhere more faithfully to the books. This includes casting younger actors as the three protagonists and presenting a tone that is more suitable for younger viewers.

Source: EW