At long last, Disney+ has finally found its Percy Jackson. Variety reports that The Adam Project breakout Walker Scobell will play the titular demigod in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, a new live-action re-imagining of Rick Riordan’s fantasy novels.
Riordan’s first novel in the Percy Jackson saga, The Lightning Thief, originally hit stores in 2005. The book introduced young readers to Percy, a dyslexic 12-year-old with ADHD. Eventually, Percy learns he’s the son of Poseidon after another Greek god, Zeus, accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. Both The Lightning Thief and its sequel, Sea of Monsters, were previously adapted into films starring Logan Lerman as Percy. Unfortunately, neither of them fared well with critics, and even Riordan himself was disappointed in how they turned out.
According to his character description, Percy is “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.”
RELATED: Disney+ Officially Orders a New Percy Jackson Series
The Adam Project marked Scobell’s film debut when it premiered on Netflix last month. And at just 13 years old, he’s much closer in age to how Riordan envisioned Percy in his books than Lerman, who was 18 when The Lightning Thief hit theaters in 2010. Scobell will next appear in Secret Headquarters, an upcoming superhero movie starring Owen Wilson. Paramount will release the film on August 5.
Unlike the films, Riordan has a more hands-on role with Disney+’s take on Percy Jackson. He’s even writing the first episode with Jon Steinberg, who will also oversee the show with Dan Shotz. Earlier this year, Disney officially ordered the project to series with James Bobin (The Muppets) directing the pilot. Production will begin this summer.
Do you think Scobell is a good choice to headline Percy Jackson and the Olympians? Give us your impressions in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Percy Jackson and the Olympians 5-Book Paperback Box Set
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