Percy Jackson and the Olympians: A New Adventure on Disney+

The Arrival of Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Percy Jackson and the Olympians will finally bring Rick Riordan's beloved fantasy stories to the small screen later this month on Disney+. The series stars Walker Scobell as the titular lead alongside actors like Big Little Lies' Virginia Kull, Will & Grace's Megan Mullally, and The League's Jason Mantzoukas; it is also the last television role filmed by the late actor Lance Reddick before his passing this year.

Percy Jackson In The Percy Jackson And The Olympians Trailer

Riordan first released the series' initial entry, The Lightning Thief, in 2005. Sitting at six books total, Percy Jackson has been adapted in the past, but the two movies released - The Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters - received mixed reviews from both critics and fans due to their widespread creative liberties. This new series seeks to be much more novel-accurate, with Riordan serving as one of the show's executive producers alongside his wife Becky Riordan. The new Disney+ adaptation begins as Percy is accused of stealing Zeus' lightning bolt, prompting an epic adventure for him and his friends.

Logan Lerman in as Percy holding a trident in front of a city landscape in Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson and the Olympians will debut with a two-episode premiere on December 20 on Disney+.

Percy Jackson in the rain with his mother in Percy Jackson and the Olympians

The Cast and Gods of Olympus

Screen Rant recently interviewed Rick and Becky Riordan to discuss casting Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Easter eggs, and the challenges of adapting from book to screen. Riordan shared insights on the casting of gods for the series, emphasizing the incredible luck they had in assembling the cast. He highlighted the addition of Hermes to the series and the choice of Lin-Manuel Miranda for the role, expressing his satisfaction with the embodiment of divinity by the actors. The interview also paid tribute to the late actor Lance Riddick's portrayal of Zeus, marking it as his final performance.

Walker Scobell in the rain in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Rick and Becky Riordan discussed the challenges of adapting the novel to a television series, with Rick emphasizing the difficulty of capturing Percy's first-person narration in the book. However, he expressed confidence in the casting of Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson, noting that Scobell brings the character to life with his own voice.

Percy Jackson has an intense look on his face while holding up his sword.

The Riordans also teased the surprises in store for Percy Jackson book fans, emphasizing the loving adaptation and the inclusion of Easter eggs that even hardcore fans may not expect to see on screen. They also hinted at the backstory filled in for The Lightning Thief in the season that was never in the book, providing a new and enriching dimension to the beloved story.

Clarisse holding her spear in Percy Jackson and the Olympians episode 2

The Fantastical Story of Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Based on the best-selling book series by award-winning author Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and the Olympians tells the fantastical story of a 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson, who's just coming to terms with his newfound divine powers. When the sky god, Zeus, accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt, Percy sets off on an adventure of a lifetime with his friends, Grover and Annabeth, to find it and restore order to Olympus.

The new Disney+ adaptation promises to bring a fresh and immersive experience for viewers, with a focus on novel accuracy and the incorporation of surprising Easter eggs. The series is set to debut with a two-episode premiere on December 20, inviting fans into a world where gods, demigods, and mythical creatures come to life in a captivating and visually stunning narrative.