Fantasy Percy Jackson Series (Disney+)

[Sawyer]

Percy Jackson Series in Development at Disney Plus – Variety

 

[DarkKnight88]

The movies sucked, so I guess there’s nowhere to go but up!

 

[Calvin Ellis]

The first movie was pretty good. And I've been saying that they should turn the books into mini series.

 

[Marvolo]

After seeing what Disney has done to the Artemis Fowl adaption I dont have much faith that they can do a better job with Percy Jackson.

 

[Mani-Man]

I really liked the movies, one of the few series where i was actually okay with the changes they made and so on.
The cast was really enjoyable and all, found it always sad that the movies didnt really blew people away.

But i love the idea of doing a series, i think it fits perfectly.
However, like @Marvolo said, seeing at what Artemis Fowl looks to be...im worried at how they will handle this one.

 

[Airwings]

Starting with the first book is a bad idea, imo. I have NO wish to see the same events played over again. They should start with the third and let the story move on so that we'll get to see the rest of the books in live action.

I would also see the gods more godly this time. Sean Bean's Zeus didn't hold a candle to Liam Neeson's.

 

[Albright]

they can tell the real story this time, with Ares being the real villain and that it’s all Kronos in the background

 

[JB-the-Hunter]

News that we have gotten since this thread was last updated:

Logo teaser from Disney's Investor Day


Rick Riordan update on the pilot script
The Latest from Athena House Jan 24, 2021 | Rick Riordan

We have a couple of important meetings this coming week with the top brass at the studio for the Percy Jackson TV show, so keep your fingers crossed. Everyone who has read the pilot script loves it, but there will be a few additional tweaks we need to make before we send it off to its next stop: the top execs at Disney+. That’s normal. In script writing, as in every other kind of writing, you can expect to do many, many drafts! All the input has been super positive and helpful, though. Everyone is committed to making this the best show we possibly can. I remain excited and guardedly optimistic that we are on the verge of getting a really first-rate project off the ground. As always, though, good things require time and patience! Stay tuned!

Rick compares his vision of quality to "The Mandalorian" and "WandaVision"
Where We Are in the Riordanverse! | Rick Riordan

The latest: We do not yet have an official “green light,” but things are moving along nicely in my estimation. The pilot script has now made it through the very highest levels of Disney execs and everybody likes it. We have met with the studio heads and streaming service execs, and we feel a lot of love and support from Disney, which I really appreciate! Our core production team (me, Becky, our show-runners and our fellow producers) have spent the last year learning to work together efficiently and effectively (through Zoom, of course). I’m delighted to say that our thinking is aligned in terms of what we want this show to be, and I remain confident we will make something great for you all to watch. Again . . . it just takes time. A lot of time. Imagine how complicated you think making a TV show would be. Multiply that times one hundred. It is even more complicated than that. And our process, from what I’ve been told, has been relatively easy! It’s fascinating though, and I’m learning a ton.

Right now, we are starting to plan next steps so we can give our partners at the studio and streaming service a good comprehensive picture of what this show will require. What’s the first season look like? (Hint: It will follow the plot of The Lightning Thief). What will the budget look like? (Hint: Good TV ain’t cheap. Quality-wise, this has to stand toe-to-toe with Disney+ hits like Wandavision and Mandalorian.) Who do we have in mind for directors? (Hint: I can’t give you any hints, but we are having conversations about this.) Casting? (No, we are still not there yet, but we have begun to talk about how the process will work when we do get there.) At a guess, I would say we have a couple more months of these conversations and planning meetings before we get our finalized game plan and (hopefully) get approval to move forward. I am optimistic it will happen. There is a lot of excitement and momentum, and it really helps that Disney understands just how wonderful and massive a fanbase Percy Jackson has, so thank you all for that! I will, as always, keep you posted, but if you see other information or “inside scoops” floating around social media, remember it is just clickbait. What I’ve told you above is as much as anyone knows, including me.

Rick talks about filming techniques he hopes will be utilized

 

[JB-the-Hunter]

A pretty big update
“Rick Riordan Presents” Authors Continue to Amaze, and Other News! | Rick Riordan

• We have passed the all-important test of having a great pilot episode script. We will, no doubt, keep revising it right up until filming, because writing is like that — as with novels, nothing is ever “done,” it is simply “due.” But the heavy lifting is done for the pilot script and everyone is happy with the results. This was a huge effort, guys, and it took most of the past year.
• We have pretty much nailed down the outline for the entire first season. We know what each episode will cover, and how the season will narrate the action of The Lightning Thief in a faithful way, but also with some new and exciting depth, so if you know the story, you will love it and find it rewarding and refreshing. If you have never heard of Percy Jackson, you will also love it.
• We have our showrunners, who are just beyond amazing. I love them. You will love them. They are smart and experienced. They are very committed to honoring the source material. They have taught me a lot about the process. We are in good hands.
• We have a casting director for the show, and have begun conversations about what the casting process will look like with the casting department at Disney, ASSUMING of course that we get approval for that process to start. It’s possible I can share a bit more about what this will look like soon. Stay tuned.
• We have identified a small core of experienced, excellent writers who will join us for the writers’ room, and will be ready to get going on the rest of the season’s scripts ASSUMING we get approval to begin. I will, of course, be working very closely with that group and contributing input to all the scripts.
• We have initiated budget conversations with the studio. We are in the process of figuring out the logistics of how much everything will cost, and how exactly this show needs to be done. As I said before, a show like this is not cheap. On top of all the visual effects that come with mythology and monsters, we will be working with young actors, who are limited by law to working shorter days, and we will be creating many different sets, since The Lightning Thief is basically a road trip adventure, right? All of that is expensive, but necessary to make a great show. We’ve been having a lot of conversations about how truly unique this show will be. A fantasy adventure TV series based primarily on young characters with sets that change every week? No one has ever done anything quite like this before. This is one reason we can’t rush the process.
• We are talking about directors. More on that later.

Basically, we are close, friends. Not to jinx anything, because we are all superstitious, but I think we’re very close to (hopefully) getting that green light and beginning work in earnest. And once the train leaves the station, it’s going to be a wild ride! I may have more news to share as soon as next week, but I can’t say for certain. This whole process has been one huge never-ending cliffhanger, hasn’t it? I was born for this!!

 

[JB-the-Hunter]

Casting is underway
‘Percy Jackson’: Search For Disney+ Series Star Underway, Say Rick Riordan – Deadline

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Albright]

not expecting this before 2023…

 

[Still Wynning]

It’s official.

 

[Web-Head]

'Percy Jackson' Disney Plus Series Casts Walker Scobell in Lead Role - Variety

 

[Airwings]

'Percy Jackson' Disney Plus Series Casts Walker Scobell in Lead Role - Variety

This is a good thing. I will try to see Adam Project and judge his acting talent.

I've pointed this out before. Young actors who have already gotten into the industry can and should be utilized for a variety of different roles, including those that are adapted from a book. This also goes for the popular YA hero Percy Jackson.
Imagine if people claimed that it should be an unknown for the new Percy because it's easier to see the actual character then, and not the kid who played young Ryan Reynolds in that other film.

Sadly, people seem to mostly prefer unknowns when it's especially about casting a young character in cbms and other kind of adaptions. They think that faces they've already seen in other films will take away some of the magic..
Is this about to change now? Do people have to accept that the industry should make use of the young actors who are already here instead of finding new ones for every adaption of fictional properties?

 

[TheVileOne]

After seeing what Disney has done to the Artemis Fowl adaption I dont have much faith that they can do a better job with Percy Jackson.

Well 20th Century TV is actually producing the show for Disney+. Not that I'm a big Percy Jackson fan, but the author is actually taking a much heavier involvement in this adaptation, and he's co-writing the pilot with Jon Steinberg. Steinberg, IMO, is a good, underrated TV writer. So, if this version fails, it's a version where Riordan was at least more heavily involved in the process.

So, it won't all be Disney's fault

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Sithborg]

Oh, you know the Daddario simps are angry.

 

[DarkKnight88]

I don’t think anyone cares about that first movie enough to draw simps for anything about it lol

 

[Dr. Evil]

Leah Jeffries is Annabeth Chase | Rick Riordan


From Rick's Wife:

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Oh, you know the Daddario simps are angry.

Racists and those desperate to bang a child.

 

[TheVileOne]

Oh, you know the Daddario simps are angry.

I think Daddario is amazing, but those movies sucked. Also, they are casting younger kids this time closer in age to the characters in the books. The author is executive producing the show and co-writing the pilot.

Then again, don't even care about the books anyway. Saw the first two movies in theaters, and they came off like Harry Potter wannabes.

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Albright]

Jason Mantzoukas

 

[Pennywise]