Unearth the 10 Hidden Gems Disney's Percy Jackson TV Show Must Explore (That The Movies Missed)

Summary

The TV series will encompass significant storylines that were excluded from the film, such as the incorporation of the god Ares as a secondary antagonist and Percy's battle with him in Los Angeles. Additionally, the show will explore crucial aspects of the book series that were neglected in the film, including Percy's encounter with the Three Fates, the manipulation of Luke by the titan Kronos, and the revelation of Percy's divine parentage by Poseidon.

The much-anticipated Disney+ series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, has generated significant excitement, with high expectations for a successful redemption after the disappointing first adaptation of Rick Riordan's beloved book series. In 2010, 20th Century Fox released Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, based on the first fantasy adventure novel, but it fell short among critics and fans due to its significant deviation from the source material. Riordan had limited creative control over the script and production, leading to his subsequent frustration with the filmmaking process.

Fortunately, the author has been closely involved in the development of the Disney+ show since its inception, instilling hope that this new adaptation will faithfully portray the entire five-book series. Moreover, the story will unfold over eight episodes in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, allowing for a more comprehensive portrayal compared to the condensed two-hour movie. As a result, the television series, set to premiere on December 20, 2023, presents an opportunity to bring to life the ten storylines from The Lightning Thief that were overlooked in the previous adaptation.

10 Ares' Villainous Role In The Lightning Thief

In Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief movie, a major disappointment was that Ares, despite having a significant role in the book, was completely omitted from the storyline. Ares, the god of war, served as a secondary antagonist in the book but was absent in the film. However, in the trailer for the Disney+ series, Adam Copeland is shown playing Ares, indicating that the god will play a prominent role in the upcoming adaptation. It is hoped that the series will delve into how Ares deceived Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, as well as his reasons for inciting conflict among the gods. As previously mentioned, the fact that Rick Riordan had considerable influence over the series ensures that Ares' portrayal as a villain will remain faithful to the interpretation in the book.

9 Percy & Ares' Fight In Los Angeles

8 Percy, Annabeth, & Grover's Trip To Waterland

A pivotal moment in The Lightning Thief occurs towards the end of the book when Percy, Annabeth, and Grover manage to escape the Underworld only to encounter Ares, the god of war, awaiting them on the beach. In a surprising turn of events, Percy challenges Ares to a duel and emerges as the unlikely victor. Although it may have seemed implausible for Percy to defeat Ares, this confrontation highlights the immense strength and capability of the son of Poseidon. The trailer for Percy Jackson and the Olympians provides a glimpse of this momentous scene from The Lightning Thief, reassuring fans that it will be featured in the show.

The Lightning Thief took Percy, Annabeth, and Grover on a quest that led them to various cities and locations across the United States. One of these stops was an abandoned water park in Denver, Colorado called Waterland. However, this particular scene was omitted from the film adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief as it focused solely on retrieving an item for Ares, who did not make an appearance in the movie. Nonetheless, the journey to Waterland will be showcased in the upcoming Disney+ series, as alluded to in the provided picture.

7 The Three Fates' Ominous Warning At The Beginning Of The Lightning Thief

The 2010 film adaptation omits a crucial scene from The Lightning Thief wherein Percy and Grover journey from Yancy Academy to Manhattan on a bus, encountering the Three Fates along the way. This segment holds significant importance in Percy's narrative. Unexpectedly, the bus breaks down, requiring them to wait for repairs. While waiting, Percy and Grover notice three women operating a fruit stand on the roadside. Remarkably, one of them employs scissors to cut a strand of yarn while locking eyes with Percy, who remains oblivious to his royal lineage as the offspring of Poseidon. Conversely, Grover recognizes this as a forewarning, signaling imminent danger to Percy's life.

6 Kronos' Manipulation Of Luke

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief shocked fans with the revelation that Luke was a villain. However, the movie failed to delve into the intricacies of his transformation. It never touched upon the influence of Kronos and how the titan manipulated Luke, urging him to break free from Tartarus. By exploiting Luke's strained relationship with his father, Hermes, Kronos successfully persuaded him to join forces in their quest to overthrow the gods. It's truly perplexing that the 2010 film neglected to mention the central antagonist from the book series. Nevertheless, this oversight can be rectified by the upcoming Disney+ series.

5 How Percy Learned He Was The Son Of Poseidon

When Percy arrived at Camp Half-Blood in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, it was simply assumed that everyone was already aware of his true parentage – the son of Poseidon. However, contrary to popular knowledge within the book, his divine lineage remained unknown, with the camp's inhabitants merely recognizing him as a half-blood. According to the book's mythology, the acknowledgement of a Greek deity towards their offspring is necessary, and it was through a daring game of Capture the Flag that Poseidon ultimately claimed Percy. This momentous event unfolded as a spectacular display of a holographic trident, shimmering resplendently above his son's head.

4 The Battle At The Gateway Arch In The Lightning Thief

Another significant event from The Lightning Thief that was excluded in the 2010 film was the intense clash between Percy, Echidna, and her Chimera on top of the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The battle took place as Percy, a demigod, encountered various monstrous creatures while embarking on a quest to find Zeus's stolen lightning bolt. Author Rick Riordan has expressed his enthusiasm for recreating this thrilling scene in the upcoming Disney+ series, set to be released in late 2023 or early 2024.

3 Clarisse Bullying Percy

Like her father, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief completely omitted Clarisse La Rue's character from the film's narrative. Clarisse, the daughter of Ares, harbored an immediate animosity towards Percy upon his arrival at Camp Half-Blood in the first book. She unceremoniously greeted him by dunking his head into a toilet. Much to her chagrin, Percy unintentionally unleashed his powers as a son of Poseidon, causing water to gush out of the toilet and drench Clarisse. In the upcoming Percy Jackson and the Olympians Disney+ series, the role of Clarisse will be portrayed by Dior Goodjohn, suggesting a more faithful adaptation of her story.

2 Percy Receives His First Quest Via The Oracle Of Delphi

In Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Percy's narrative takes a different turn as he embarks on his journey alongside Annabeth and Grover. The film diverges from the book by showcasing the demigod's defiance of Chiron's instructions, as he leaves camp in order to rescue his mother from the Underworld. Conversely, in the book, Percy's path unfolds when he visits the Oracle of Delphi at Camp Half-Blood and is given a quest to retrieve Zeus's lightning bolt.

1 The Pact Of The Big Three

The 2010 film fails to acknowledge the crucial role of the Pact of the Big Three in Rick Riordan's book series. This pact, agreed upon by Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, aimed to prevent the birth of any offspring due to their overwhelming power. Regrettably, all three gods broke the pact, each fathering at least one child. It is hoped that Percy Jackson and the Olympians will incorporate a mention of this significant pact.