The Irresistible Challenge: Why Disney MUST Adapt The Percy Jackson Spinoff Books
Can Disney successfully bring the captivating Heroes of Olympus series to life? Find out if the show will expand beyond the Percy Jackson books in this thrilling adaptation challenge
Summary
There is a chance for Disney's upcoming Percy Jackson TV series to incorporate the spinoff books, which introduce captivating new characters and potentially offer a more intriguing storyline than the original series.
The spinoff books hold significance as they carry on the narratives of Percy, Annabeth, and their companions, delving into fresh mythology and relationships that audiences would otherwise overlook. The dilemma Disney faces in bringing the Heroes of Olympus books to screen is the age of the characters, specifically Percy. They must swiftly bring the stories to life to align with the actors' ages and prevent the problems of aging observed in the Percy Jackson movies.
Disney's upcoming Percy Jackson TV show is based on Rick Riordan's main series of novels. However, Riordan has also released several spinoff books that could be adapted into television as well. The main series, titled Percy Jackson & the Olympians (or PJO), follows the protagonist and his adventures at Camp Half-Blood as he uncovers the truth about himself and restores order to the Greek Gods. These books established Riordan's popular universe, but Percy and his friends can also be found in other places.
Building on the success of The Lightning Thief and its sequels, Riordan expanded his universe with spinoff novels, including The Heroes of Olympus series. While these books focus on different characters, Percy Jackson still plays a smaller role in them. Riordan also explored the worlds of Egyptian and Norse mythologies through The Kane Chronicles and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, respectively. These additional stories present numerous possibilities for the future of Disney's Percy Jackson TV show. However, the show faces a significant challenge in fully capturing the greatness of Riordan's works.
The Percy Jackson Spinoff Books Are Even Better Than The Original Series
Disney's Percy Jackson show must find a way to merge with the spinoffs. These books introduce exciting new characters that fans of Rick Riordan would love to see on screen. In fact, many of the spinoff stories are even more captivating and well-written than those in the main saga. While Percy Jackson & the Olympians has its share of great characters, it is in the spinoffs where Riordan truly unleashes the potential of this universe and its inhabitants.
It is crucial to recognize the importance of the spinoffs as they continue the stories of Percy, Annabeth, and their friends. Although The Last Olympian may be seen as the end of their journey, the spinoffs present significant developments for these characters. The show must acknowledge this, as the end of the main saga marks just the beginning of their lives. Heroes of Olympus introduces them to a whole new realm of mythology and sets the stage for multiple new relationships that would have been entirely missed by audiences otherwise.
Disney Faces A Challenge Adapting Heroes Of Olympus
The biggest challenge Disney would face when adapting the Heroes of Olympus books is the need to capture the essence of Percy and his friends. Since the events of The Heroes of Olympus take place immediately after The Last Olympian, Disney would have to produce the stories quickly to align with the ages of the main actors. If the studio delays too long, Percy would be significantly older than his peers and it would be difficult for him to realistically appear in those stories.
While certain storylines and aspects may need to be changed, Percy Jackson's age is a crucial element that must remain consistent. It plays a significant role in highlighting his bravery and strength throughout the story. This was one of the major criticisms of the Percy Jackson movies, as Logan Lerman was already 18 years old when the first movie was released. On the other hand, Walker Scobell, the 14-year-old lead actor in the Disney show, is much more suitable for the role.
How Disney Can Approach A Heroes Of Olympus Adaptation
With these considerations in mind, Disney could potentially incorporate the Heroes of Olympus books into the Percy Jackson show by aligning the storylines and having them coexist. This would require significant changes to the narrative, but with Rick Riordan as a producer, the authenticity of the series could be maintained. Another approach would be to reduce Percy and Annabeth's roles in Heroes of Olympus to minimize the noticeable age difference. Integrating the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus books as two separate but parallel series would be the most effective method, although it would require adjustments to the storyline. Despite the pros and cons of each option, it is evident that the inclusion of Heroes of Olympus is both feasible and necessary for the future of the Percy Jackson series on Disney+.
