Thirteen years ago, 20th Century Fox released the first live-action adaptation of the popular book series Percy Jackson & The Olympians: Lightning Thief. The series was meant to herald in a new teen franchise to rival that of the popular Harry Potter movie series, which was well into its run but nearing its end. The powers at be saw a cash cow lying in wait with Rick Riordan’s Greek mythology-inspired series. A series that would satiate the hungry audience with immense buying power. 20th Century Fox even went so far as to hire the director who kicked off the Harry Potter film franchise, Chris Columbus.
The pieces were all there: a likeable cast, an endearing story, and a wildly active fanbase. But as will be the story for many book-to-film adaptations, the film and its subsequent sequel would not be an adequate adaptation. Lacking the vibrancy, excitement and detail Riordan embeds his pages with, the movie would only be pleasing appetizers, not enjoyable full-course meals. 20th Century Fox was at a loss; these studios usually are when their goal is far from honourable. Riordan was not too pleased with the final script and he had no creative say or even a place at the table. The suits at 20th Century Fox thought they knew better and could tell his story better than he could. They were wrong. Now, 13 years later, as if designed by fate, 20th Century Fox was absorbed by Disney, who, in turn, collected the rights to the series and is trying again. This time, Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwood will find a new way forward through television.
In 2019, Riordan pitched an adaptation to Disney, believing that he would once again be railroaded from the adaptation of his baby, but he remained hopeful. It is now 2023, and we are a mere week away from the Disney+ debut of the latest adaptation, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, starring Walker Scobell as the titular character, Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase and Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood. Riordan serves as show creator and executive producer, with writing credits. It is finally here: the Riordan-approved adaptation. How does it hold up? It’s pretty darn good.
The first season follows the first novel. 12-year-old Percy Jackson is accused of stealing Zeus’ thunderbolt and is hunted down by monsters and gods. Percy has lived his whole life not knowing why he cannot fit in; he has been seeing things others cannot, and his understanding and selfless mother has been the only one to be there for him. That is until he meets Grover, a friend seemingly a godsend. Funny, sweet, and kind, Grover becomes Percy’s best friend until an incident shatters the illusion. After being attacked by a monster, Percy is finally brought into the loop. Grover is a satyr, and his mother has been hiding the fact that he is a demigod. Unbeknownst to him, until he reaches Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demigods and those who live in a world of the gods, Percy is the son of Poseidon. Poseidon is locked in a great battle for power with his brothers Zeus and Hades, and Percy is the key to it all.
The first two episodes of the series introduce us to the world Riordan holds dearly. At first glance, the series looks like a promising start to something extraordinary, but Disney+’s track record indicates they don’t know what potential is (Justice for Willow). So, for fans of the series, engagement and widespread word of mouth will be vital for the show’s long-term success; the book series has six entries, after all.
Right out the gate, the show is striving towards excellence with the casting of Walker Scobell. Although the films were met with a tepid response, Logan Lerman’s Percy Jackson left a massive impression and left behind equally massive shoes for Scobell to fill. Lerman was so popular in the role that fans wanted to see him take on the role of Posner as a spiritual passing of the torch (or trident, in this case). Scobell is incredibly endearing and dynamic and possesses an aptitude for being a fantastic leading man. Much like Daniel Radcliffe, Scobell feels right as this epic story’s lead. They start as the reluctant hero who soon grows into the worthy protagonist their authors imagined them to be. Kind, honourable, innocent and above all, likeable. Scobell is very likeable, as are his two co-stars.
Forget the haters because Riordan knows what’s best for his creation. Scobell is one of three immaculate choices for our leads. Aryan Simhadri is charming and steadfast, offering a gentle helping hand to our hero and the audience as he helps us navigate the world of the gods. Simhadri, like Scobell, is very likable and shows great promise. Athena herself may have well chosen Leah Sava Jeffries. Her strength and pride are apparent in her first appearance. Jeffries speaks and moves with elegance and grace and an undeniable inner power.
As for the ensemble, there is little of them in the opening episodes, but there is a sense of purpose with each of these casting choices. Percy’s fellow half-blood campers all feel just right, and they all possess that natural charisma that one would expect from a child of a god. As for the gods themselves, they are scarcely seen in these episodes except Jason Mantzoukas’ Mr. D (Dionysus). As we know, Lin-Manuel Miranda will plague grace this production as Hermes, a casting choice that doesn’t inspire much excitement. The late great Lance Reddick will again bless the screen as the god of the sky, Zeus. Jay Duplass will play Hades, and Toby Stephens is Percy’s father, Poseidon. One can only expect an explosive presence from each of them as they are seemingly all well cast on paper, but that is yet to be seen.
We do meet some monsters like Megan Mullally’s unnerving Alecto and Jessica Parker Kennedy’s underserved yet impressive Medusa. The Gorgon is a staple of the Percy Jackson series with a considerably popular set piece that is quite underwhelming when realized in the show. However, these two and the other creatures we encounter, like Glynn Turman’s Chiron, are well realized via special effects. The VFX usage is quite conservative, yet there is a considerable improvement from the film adaptations. Though, there is nothing yet that has inspired wows or awes. Grover and Chiron are notably humanoid, and the camera tends to cut off the parts of them that require special effects, often reserving those moments for wide shots of them. Disney is clearly keeping a tight budget on this one, and it shows.
The writing is effective, the performances are good, and the story is compelling. It seems this time, Disney+ has all the right pieces and is actually using them effectively. However, the most vital element is Riordan. The series feels authentic to the books, even to a complete novice to Percy Jackson’s world. Perhaps certain events have been altered, as well as some characters, to fit the TV format, but the show feels sincere. Ultimately, the show is engaging, with each episode flying past and beckoning you to start the next right away. However, there is a lot missing that flesh out the world. The general world-building is good, but the finer details about Percy’s life before the demigod reveal, the power dynamics at Camp Half-Blood, or the simplest exposition about the beaded necklaces worn by demigods are skipped for an expedited adventure. Percy is barely at camp before his grand adventure is revealed to him.
The show is sadly only eight episodes, an episode length that American TV studios have failed to master or recognize is not necessary. If your story can be told in eight episodes, ten won’t hurt, but it might help with expanding upon the world and characters. The first few episodes indicate that the show may sacrifice a few character moments and action set pieces for efficiency’s sake, but only time will tell whether eight is enough. There is much to explore and introduce, and if a six season show is the goal, the pacing is critical.
Percy Jackson and The Olympians has a ton of promise. It is fun and engaging, and it will certainly satisfy fans of the novels. Riordan is hopeful for a second season, which has yet to be greenlit, so the first outing must feel like lightning in a bottle. With this cast and the passion of Riordan himself steering the ship, it is hard to argue that this first season isn’t a successful voyage. It’s a little rocky, but there is so much to be entertained by. The later episodes of the series may be a hot mess. It is hard to say with Disney withholding those episodes for review, but the pilot and second episode foreshadow an adaptation that will be worthy enough to the source material.
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