Back in May 2020, Disney announced that it was developing a Disney+ show based on the popular fantasy series Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Details were scarce, and the series was not officially confirmed as greenlit until January 2021. There is no series premiere date at this time, but it appears that Disney is aiming to air the show in late 2022.
We are now learning that the new series has found its Percy Jackson. An exclusive report from Variety has revealed that Walker Scobell has been cast to play the young demigod. Scobell’s name may not ring a bell to many, as he only has one current acting credit to his name. Scobell stars in the hit Netflix film, The Adam Project, alongside Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds and Marvel star Mark Ruffalo.
Here is more information on the series from Variety:
The series adaptation of the Rick Riordan book series was ordered at the streamer back in January. The live-action show tells the fantastical tale of the titular 12-year-old modern demigod (Scobell), who’s just coming to terms with his newfound supernatural powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. Now Percy must trek across America to find it and restore order to Olympus.
Percy is described as a smart and compassionate kid with a sharp sense of humor. He’s always seen himself as an outsider, in no small part because of how the world sees his ADHD and dyslexia. He’s impulsive and rambunctious and is quick to anger when things seem unfair to him. But beneath his cynicism is an affectionate son and loyal friend who just wants to do right by those he cares about. If only he could find a place where he fits in.
The original book series was written by Rick Riordan, who will also be a screenwriter for the show. Jon Steinberg will be working alongside Riordan on the pilot, and James Bobin will be directing. Bobin has worked with Disney in the past, having written the 2011 film The Muppets. He also directed the 2014 Disney movie, Muppets Most Wanted.
The Percy Jackson is a pentalogy of fantasy novels, comprised of The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan’s Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian. In 2010, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief was adapted into a feature-length film starring Logan Lerman. That film is currently available to stream on Disney+.
Are you excited to have a Percy Jackson series coming to Disney+?
