Percy Jackson: Unraveling the Age Difference Between Logan Lerman and Disney's Rising Star Walker Scobell

Summary

Logan Lerman's age during filming explains why he looked older than the character in the Percy Jackson movies.

Walker Scobell was selected for the TV show because he perfectly matched the desired age range of Percy Jackson.

As the highly anticipated Percy Jackson TV show approaches, many fans are reflecting on the previous film adaptation and questioning why Logan Lerman's portrayal of Percy appeared significantly older than Walker Scobell. In December 2023, Disney+ will commence the release of the new TV series adaptation, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. This captivating show, which follows the events of the book series bearing the same title, revolves around the adventures of a twelve-year-old boy named Percy Jackson, who discovers his divine heritage as the son of Poseidon. While this TV series marks a fresh adaptation of the beloved books, it is not the first time they have been brought to the screen.

Logan Lerman Was 17 When He Filmed 2010's The Lightning Thief Movie

Logan Lerman was only 17 years old when he portrayed Percy Jackson in the filming of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. However, as a result of the time gap between the initial film and its sequel, Lerman had aged to 21 years old by the time he starred in Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. Despite facing criticism from loyal fans of the book series regarding his age, Lerman delivered an exceptional performance as Percy Jackson. His portrayal captured the character's anxious disposition and hesitant charm, effectively making Percy a relatable and admirable hero that audiences could genuinely support.

Walker Scobell Was 13 While Filming Disney's 2023 Percy Jackson TV Show

Rather than opting for an older actor to portray a pre-teen character, Disney chose to cast someone who closely matched Percy Jackson's designated age. Their search yielded fruitful results when Walker Scobell was selected for the role. Scobell's journey in the acting world began during his elementary school years, displaying an abundance of passion and talent (as reported by TV Buzz). By the time Scobell embarked on the filming of the Percy Jackson TV show, he was 13 years old and fully committed to pursuing an acting career. With his age and remarkable skill level, Scobell emerged as the ideal choice to embody the eponymous 12-year-old character.

Why Lerman's Percy Jackson Is So Much Older Than Scobell & The Book Character

In the book series, Percy Jackson receives a prophecy that will take place when he turns sixteen. Based on the four-year timeline of the books, Percy begins his journey in The Lightning Thief as a twelve-year-old. However, in the movie adaptation, the prophecy is altered to occur when Percy reaches his twentieth year, making the character portrayed by Lerman sixteen at the start of the film series. This discrepancy can be attributed to Lerman's age during the filming process. The general acting principle is that performers can portray characters who are five years younger or older than their actual age. Nevertheless, this rule doesn't apply to teenage actors.

A 17-year-old adolescent appears different compared to a 12-year-old adolescent due to the occurrence of puberty during that time frame. Hormonal changes result in significant modifications in facial structure, height, voice, and more. Consequently, to better align with Logan Lerman's physical appearance, Percy Jackson's age needed to be altered in the books. Walker Scobell, who was 13 during filming, was able to authentically portray a 12-year-old boy. Therefore, the Percy Jackson TV show will correspond with the books.